ATM hacking: Cops keep tab on foreign travellers

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Sabtu affixes the DSP stripe on Kuching district Traffic and Public Order chief Amihizam Abdul Shukor during the monthly parade yesterday. — Photo by Kong Jun Liung.

KUCHING: Police are closely monitoring the entry of foreign citizens, particularly Latin Americans, in light of the recent ATM-hacking incidents in the peninsula.

State police chief Datuk Wira Muhammad Sabtu Osman said there had been no reports of such a crime in the state thus far.

“There have been a number of ATM-hacking cases in Selangor and Johor over the past week, but none here, so far.

“But we have to be serious on this matter and closely monitor the entry of foreign citizens at airports and land borders, particularly Latin Americans,” he told reporters after leading a monthly parade at state police headquarters here yesterday.

Sabtu also reminded the public to report any instance of money going missing from their bank account so that action could be taken.

Over the past week, a Latin American gang was reported to have stolen almost RM3 million by hacking into at least 14 ATM in three states.

The heists were described as ‘highly professional’, something the police had never encountered.

Separately, Sabtu revealed that police planned to set up a Community Safety and Crime Prevention Department (CSCPD) in all 28 police districts in the state.

He said the presence of CSCPD would enable locals to learn and adopt crime prevention measures and dispel any negative perception concerning safety.

“Currently, only state police headquarters has a CSCPD and helmed by SAC Burhanuddin Abdul Majid. We plan to expand the CSCPD to all 28 police districts in the state to enhance service quality and to ensure the people’s safety and security is protected,” he said during the parade.

Sabtu added that police had also just set up the Standard Compliance and Integrity Department (SCID), an amalgamation of the Disciplinary unit, Religion and Counselling unit, and the Inspectorate division.

The setting up of the SCID was to ensure that officers and personnel alike perform their duties with integrity.

“With the establishment of the two new departments, it is hoped we can discharge our duties to the expectations of the public.”

He also stressed that the drop in the crime rate – 6.84 per cent so far this year compared to the corresponding period in 2013 – was based on reports received.

During the monthly parade, Sabtu presented stripes to 52 officers who were promoted to the ranks of Deputy Superintendant (DSP), Sub-Inspector (SI), and Sergeant Major (SM).