KUCHING: Police are hunting for a suspect who is wanted in connection with a fraud syndicate which led to the detention of 47 Malaysians in Cambodia last December.
State Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) chief Supt Mustafa Kamal Gani Abdullah said yesterday police are looking for Mohamad Ghafar Abdul Jamal, 26, who is suspected to have been involved in five cases.
Following an interview with the scam victims, police discovered that the suspect was also involved in four other cases.
“We are now tracking down the suspect to facilitate our investigations into the five cases under Section 420 of the Penal Code.
“We believe he is now hiding outside the state following checks with the Immigration Department. He was last seen in Sarawak on Jan 28 this year,” he said when met by reporters during an interview at the State Police Headquarters yesterday.
Members of the public are urged to channel information of the suspect’s whereabout to investigating officer ASP Pricha Azin at 019-8897640 or come forward to any nearby police stations.
On Dec 11, 47 Malaysians aged between 19 and 44 were detained in Banteay Meanchey Provincial Prison for alleged involvement in illegal online gambling activities and fraud.
Thirty-three of the Malaysians were from Kuching, six from Sibu, one from Sarikei, three from Sabah, three from Selangaor and one from Kuala Lumpur.
According to the Malaysians, they were promised jobs in the hotel and electrical sector. Some were, however, told to learn about online gambling work when they arrived in Cambodia.
