12 people were arrested over a gang robbery in Cheras, Malaysia, where a Taiwanese YouTuber was allegedly assaulted and robbed of RM35,000 (S$11,000).
The group, believed to be part of a syndicate, had impersonated police officers to commit the crime.
Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Fadil Marsus said eight men and four women, aged between 26 and 48, were arrested in a series of raids across Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan from 2 Aug.
The victim suffered injuries during the incident and lost around S$11,000, police said.
Chief Fadil said the suspects allegedly targeted the content creator after learning that he was carrying a large amount of foreign currency.
Source: pixelshot on Canva, for illustration purposes only.
“The primary motive behind the incident was the suspects’ knowledge that the victim was keeping a substantial amount of cash in foreign currency,” he said in a statement.
The case came to light after a Japanese man filed a police report on 1 Aug regarding the attack at EkoCheras Service Residence.
The victim, a Taiwanese content creator, is reportedly the complainant’s employer.
Source: NST
Five suspects have been remanded until 13 Aug, while seven others were released on police bail on 7 Aug after their statements were recorded.
The authorities are also actively searching for one more suspect, who remains at large.
The case is being investigated under Section 170 of the Penal Code for impersonating a public servant and Section 395 for gang robbery.
If convicted of gang robbery, offenders can face up to 20 years’ jail and caning.
Chief Fadil urged anyone with information about the wanted suspect to step forward and assist with the investigation.
Also read: Japanese tourist robbed of S$2.4K in Hong Kong after inviting newly met man to her hotel room
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Featured image adapted from pixelshot on Canva, for illustration purposes only, and NST.