KUCHING, Jan 3: Many people have fallen victim to a scam similar to the Macau Scam, with an estimated loss of RM10 million.
However, Bintulu MP-cum-Dudong assemblyman Dato Seri Tiong King Sing said after the victims lodged their reports at the police station, little action was taken to help them.
“The police in Sibu, especially the Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID), need to get their act together and conduct a thorough investigation into these cases and prevent more people from being victimised,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Tiong, who is also Prime Minister’s Special Envoy to China, further informed that he had gone to the Sibu Central Police Station to assist in giving a statement to enable investigations into the scam issue he raised earlier.
He mentioned that Sibu has one of the highest incidences of fraud in Sarawak, and therefore, the police must address this matter seriously.
Tiong also said the police might consider pursuing these reports through the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing, and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLA).
“First of all, they need to immediately freeze the relevant accounts of the person that lodged the report and trace the persons on the receiving end. A proactive response is vital in pinpointing the transactions that occurred.
“At least an explanation of what happened can be given to the victim, instead of keeping them in the dark or worse, going with the motions in a slow and lengthy response without any urgency,” he explained.
He also called on more victims to voice their ordeals and not be held back by any reluctance to cooperate with the police.
“Courageously report the crime and provide police with more clues to track down and eliminate these scammers.
“By ignoring these crimes, these fraudsters will keep using Sibu to do as they please,” he emphasised. ― DayakDaily
