RM30.5m siphoned from Labuan?
LABUAN: Police here on Thursday confirmed receiving a report from an offshore bank on an alleged illegal transfer of RM30.5 million to accounts in Hong Kong and Cambodia.
According to the report lodged on Sept 18, one of its clients was tricked into revealing details and information regarding its account.
It was initially investigated by the Labuan Commercial Crime Investigation Division (CCID) headed by DSP Mohd Sabri Hahazin before being taken over by a special task force set up by the Bukit Aman Cyber and Multimedia Crime Division.
“The mastermind successfully siphoned US$9.42 million (RM30.5 million) into accounts in Hong Kong and Cambodia. After the transactions were completed, the accounts were closed,” Labuan Police Chief Supt. Adzhar Othman Adzhar told reporters during the Police Customers’ Day held at the Financial Park, here.
The case is being investigated under the Anti-Money Laundering Act and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act.
On the recent spate of hacks at automatic teller machines (ATMs) in several states in the peninsula, resulting in losses totalling some RM3 million, Adzhar urged banks to beef up security.
“It is good that we meet bank managers today to discuss security issues, especially regarding ATMs. While we are stepping up patrols on such centres, we want the banks to do their part as well,” Adzhar said, adding that police have identified the Financial Park, Labuan Airport and Ferry Terminal as hotspots.
He called on them to ensure their CCTVs are of high definition and in good working order.
So far, Adzhar said, a suspect had been caught vandalising the machine last year.
On another development, Adzhar said the island recorded a reduction of crime cases, from 175 cases last year to 155 during the same period this year.
Due to the active recruitment of housewives to participate in Amanita, he said house break-ins also a reduction of 31 cases, from 54 to 23 this year.
He also said 32 motorbikes were reported stolen this year and advised motorcyclists to securely lock their bikes.
The Customers Day was an opportunity for the police to approach the public and resolve issues concerning their safety and traffic.
All the heads of the divisions were present to field questions and take suggestions from the man in the street.
