Police detain a man suspected of being involved in property scam syndicate
KOTA KINABALU: Police detained a project manager of a company who is believed to be involved in a syndicate indulging in a scam to get people to invest in real estate which does not exist, in Sabah.
Sabah Police commissioner Datuk Ramli Din said the 43-year-old suspect was arrested when he was called to give a statement at Kota Kinabalu Police Headquarters, last Tuesday.
"Before the suspect was detained, we received a report from the Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) regarding a property development marketing at the CL 045091174 lot in Karambunai, Kota Kinabalu.
"DBKK as the local authority which is responsible for considering and approving any development in its administration area, had reported that they (DBKK) had never received or approved the proposed development at the site," he told reporters, here today.
He said following the report, police conducted an investigation and found that the suspect's company had organised a reception in conjunction with the signing of the development project agreement, last Monday.
"The reception was aired through livestreaming and witnessed by over 2,000 people, mostly the Chinese tourists at the Likas Sports Complex. After the reception, a dinner was held at a prominent hotel which was also attended by about 2,000, mostly Chinese tourists," he said.
Ramli said further investigation found that the 210ha land which purportedly was to be developed by the company, was located near a hill which was not allowed to be developed.
He said the police seized various documents at his company premises including the transaction receipts which were mostly from overseas investors, especially Taiwan and China.
The suspect was being remanded for six days until Oct 21 and the case was being investigated under Section 420/ 511 of the Penal Code for attempted cheating.
"We are now tracking down a few individuals believed to be involved in the case and the scam syndicate is believed have been active since early this year," he said. — Bernama