KUCHING, Oct 27: The Sarawak Commercial Crime Investigation Department has arrested 1,221 mule account owners for allegedly allowing their accounts to be used by criminals to receive money proceeds from fraudulent activities conducted online and through social media platforms between 2021 and September this year.
Sarawak Police Commissioner Dato Mohd Azman Ahmad Sapri said that of the suspects arrested, 914 individuals have been charged in court with various offences.
“Police investigations showed that the mule account owners were fully aware that they should not reveal or give away their account information to be used by any parties,” he said in a statement issued yesterday (Oct 26).
Mohd Azman advised individuals or companies to immediately close their bank accounts if they no longer have control over the account so that it will not be used for illegal activities.
“The police will take strict action against any party who allows their bank accounts to be used for money mules and will take them to court,” he warned in light of the increasing trend in such criminal activities.
He pointed out that action can be taken under Section 411 of the Penal Code for dishonestly receiving or retaining any stolen property; Section 424 of the Penal Code for dishonest or fraudulent removal or concealment of consideration as well as Section 37 (1) of the Sarawak Minor Offence Ordinance 1958 for unlawful possession of money.
Mohd Azman also called on the cooperation of all parties including non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to assist the police in creating greater awareness that those involved cannot hide as victims and claim ignorance when allowing their bank accounts to be used by others for criminal activities.
The public can check suspected telephone numbers or bank accounts through the Check Scammers CCID through http://semakmule.rmp.gov.my before making any transactions.
To get information on the latest modus operandi of scammers, visit the Facebook pages of the Cyber Crime Alert Royal Malaysia Police and Sarawak Commercial Crime Investigation Department.
The public can also contact CCID Scam Response Centre through 03-26101559 and 03-26101599 or CCID Infoline at 013-2111222 (WhatsApp/SMS) to get advice or channel information on online criminal cases.
Contact the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) at 997 if you are a victim of cyber fraud (Macau scam, love scam, e-commerce, non-existence loans and others) or if you made money transfers to any mule or fraud syndicate accounts. — DayakDaily
