A vehicle cloning and theft syndicate was busted by the police in an operation that saw 12 people arrested, reports FMT. The suspects, aged between 33 and 60, were detained by Bukit Aman’s criminal investigation department (CID) between March 12 and 15, and have been released on bail pending further investigations.
According to Bukit Aman CID director M Kumar, the operation was initiated after about five months of intelligence gathering on the syndicate which specialised in cloning vehicle identities and reselling cars. “One of the suspects is also wanted by Singaporean authorities in connection with a vehicle theft case and has been handed over for further investigation,” he said.
Along with the arrests, police also seized 12 vehicles worth an estimated RM1.1 million, including various Toyota, Honda and Mazda vehicles. Out of the 12, eight were found to have their identities tampered with, while the remaining four were confirmed to be stolen from Singapore.
Examinations of these vehicles revealed that the chassis and engine numbers of the cloned vehicles had been altered, some to the extent that their original identities could not be determined. Kumar pointed out that the syndicate used stolen vehicles or those that have been declared as a total loss. “These vehicles appear legitimate even upon inspection and are sometimes sold through seemingly authorised dealers,” he said, adding that further checks showed that some of the cloned vehicles even had valid road transport department (JPJ) documents.
The case is being investigated under Section 379A of the Penal Code for vehicle theft, which provides for up to seven years imprisonment and a fine upon conviction. The police is working to identify other syndicate members and advised the public to be cautious when purchasing vehicles, especially if they are sold at low prices. Owners of vehicles declared as total loss are also urged to notify the authorities to prevent misuse of their identities.
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Wow 12 vehicles. I can find more abandoned vehicles in a PPR carpark.
are your 13 abandoned vehicles worth more than 1.1 million?
owners of conti cars such as – peugoet citroen fiat alfaromeo landRover – are secretly hopeing this sundicate will steal their cars , so that can claim insurance.