Lawyer questions lack of charges in alleged RM200k crypto robbery by 12 cops

Lawyer questions lack of charges in alleged RM200k crypto robbery by 12 cops

KAJANG: The lawyer of eight Chinese nationals, who were allegedly threatened and robbed of RM200,000 by policemen, has questioned the handling of the investigation after failing to get any updates.

Speaking to the New Straits Times, the lawyer, who wanted to be identified only as Charles, said he has yet to get any updates from the police since his clients reported the robbery two weeks ago.

He said the victims had their statements recorded and even picked out several of the officers in the alleged robbery from identification parades.

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Charles said he would be writing formally to the investigating officer at the Kajang police headquarters as well as the Attorney-General’s Chambers to seek clarification on the status of the investigation.

“If even that does not yield any results, I may forward the case to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC),” he said.

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“The last I heard was that the suspects have been granted police bail after their extended remand expired. That’s all.”

Selangor police chief Datuk Shazeli Kahar confirmed the case, saying it was being investigated under Sections 395 and 397 of the Penal Code for gang robbery and aggravated robbery.

“Yes, I can confirm the incident and the arrests. Investigations are ongoing from multiple angles,” he said.

The 12 policemen are an assistant superintendent of police, an inspector, a sergeant, six corporals, two lance corporals and a constable. Four of them are officers from the federal Commercial Crime Investigation Department. They were arrested after a 31-year-old China national lodged a report.

The 12 allegedly raided a home in Country Heights, Kajang, rented by eight China nationals on Feb 5.

The policemen accused the China nationals of running a scam operation, but inspections of their electronic devices found no evidence of wrongdoing.

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However, the policemen threatened to arrest the China nationals unless they were paid RM400,000.

Fearing for their safety, particularly as there were three women in the group, one of the China nationals contacted his employer in China for help.

The sum was reduced and a transfer of 50,000 units of the tether cryptpcurrency (RM200,000), was made to a cryptocurrency wallet address provided by the suspects.

Before departing, the suspects allegedly warned the group to vacate the house within two days or face further action.

Charles was contacted by the China firm to help the group. He then went to the house and helped draft a police report that was lodged at Kajang station.

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He said the group, aged between 25 and 45, had entered Malaysia between Jan 27 and Jan 30. They were here at the invitation of a local company to explore business opportunities and conduct market surveys.

When asked about their current whereabouts, Charles said all eight had returned to Shandong in China to celebrate Chinese New Year with their families.

“They will be back by mid-March to resume and complete their task,” he said, adding that they remained committed to assisting in the investigation.

However, he said that three women in the group had moved out of the Country Heights house due to safety concerns, and found accommodations closer to the Chinese embassy.

Charles questioned why, despite the arrests and the identification of several officers, no charges had been brought against the suspects.