Press Digest - Police close to solving "romance scam" cases

PETALING JAYA: Local police are believed to be one step closer to solving a number of "romance scams" and other online fraud involving Malaysian victims following the arrest of a master scammer in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, on Monday.
Interpol said the 40-year-old Nigerian, who uses the alias "Mike", leads a network of at least 40 scammers in Nigeria, Malaysia, and South Africa with additional contacts in China, United States and Europe who have cheated their victims of more than US$60 million (RM240 million) in the last several years, China Press reported today, quoting foreign news agencies.
Contacted by the daily, Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) said the department had yet to be contacted by Interpol.
"They (Interpol and police in foreign countries) usual do not contact us so soon. They will investigate cases in the country concerned (Nigeria in this case) first before contacting their foreign counterparts for follow-ups," said a CCID officer who was not identified in the report.
Interpol said "Mike" was behind thousands of online scams worldwide.
His operations involved using malware to take over systems to compromise emails as well as romance scams.
His victims include both individuals and business entities. One target was tricked into paying US$15.4 million.
"Mike" also allegedly ran a money laundering network spanning China, Europe and the US.
The CCID officer said although the mastermind comes from an African country, it can be sure that he has local accomplices to support his activities in the countries he plied his trade.
He said Malaysian police will work closely with Interpol to bring the local culprits to book.