KOTA KINABALU: Three China women, reportedly posing as nuns, have been detained by the police for fraud in the state capital.
State Commercial Crime Investigation Department chief Superintendent Saiman Kasran disclosed that the arrests were made following complaints from the public of fraud perpetrated by the three women.
“Two of the suspects, aged 43 and 45 years old, were arrested at an unnumbered house during Ops Gasak carried out by the police.
“During the raid, police seized several black plastic bags and water bottles, RM4,350 cash and several foreign currencies that were believed to have been used and the profits from their illegal activity,” he said, adding that the third suspect was later arrested in the state capital.
Initial police investigation revealed that the modus operandi of the suspects was to target elderly women either at the market or public places early in the morning.
“One of the suspects would approach their target and asked for directions to a traditional Chinese medical centre, claiming that she needs to buy some medicine for her husband who is very ill.
“The suspect would then start crying to convince the victim. Several minutes later, the second suspect would approach them and pretend to hear what is going on. The second suspect would then offer to help by recommending a traditional Chinese medical centre and urge the victim to accompany the first suspect to avoid any untoward incident from happening to the first suspect,” he said.
Saiman said once the suspect and the targeted victim arrived at the traditional medical centre, the third suspect would emerge and introduce herself as a nun who could solve their problems.
The bogus nun would cajole the victim to collect some of her valuables from her home and keep it in a black plastic bag.
“After bringing back the valuables and handing it over to the bogus nun, the third suspect would then disappear into a room on the pretext of performing a ‘prayer’ and would reappear several minutes later with a bottle of water,” said Saiman.
The three suspects are currently being remanded for investigation under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property.
Meanwhile, Saiman informed that six similar cases have been reported with losses amounting to close to RM69,000 since January this year.
“Such cases are not common as the suspects are mobile and will move around to other districts to avoid detection,” he said.