Twelve police personnel, including four officers from the Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) at Bukit Aman, have been detained over their alleged involvement in a group robbery linked to the transfer of approximately RM200,000 worth of cryptocurrency from a group of Chinese nationals.
Those arrested comprise one assistant superintendent, one inspector, one sergeant, six corporals, two lance corporals and one constable, aged between 24 and 47. The suspects were picked up in a series of coordinated operations conducted over two days by a special team from the district police headquarters.
The arrests followed a police report lodged by a 31-year-old Chinese market surveyor, who claimed that he and seven associates were forced to transfer cryptocurrency in exchange for their release after the bungalow they were renting in the gated Country Heights area of Kajang was raided.
According to sources, a district commercial crime unit team raided the double-storey house at about 11.10pm on Feb 5, suspecting the occupants of running an online scam operation allegedly linked to syndicates in Cambodia under an anti-scam operation dubbed “Op Taring”.
However, checks on their electronic devices and passports reportedly uncovered no evidence of criminal activity. There were also no records indicating that the complainant or his companions had travelled to Cambodia. The group claimed they were market surveyors employed by a China-based company.
Despite this, the victims allegedly were threatened with detention and immigration action unless they paid RM400,000. Concerned for their safety, particularly as three women were among them, one of the victims contacted his employer in China.
Following negotiations, the suspects allegedly agreed to accept 50,000 USDT (Tether cryptocurrency), which was transferred to a digital wallet address provided. The payment was reportedly made in the early hours of the morning, and only after the transaction was confirmed did the officers leave the premises. The group was also allegedly instructed to vacate the property within two days or face further action.
Initial investigations led to the arrest of seven officers from the district CCID and crime prevention units, with service records ranging from two to 27 years. Further intelligence later revealed the involvement of five more officers, including four attached to the cyber and digital forensics units at Bukit Aman’s CCID. They were detained in a follow-up operation on Feb 8.
All 12 suspects are believed to have been present during the operation at the bungalow. The case is being investigated under Section 395 of the Penal Code for gang robbery.
Police have seized several mobile phones, SIM cards and documents believed to be linked to the alleged offence. Remand applications were made at the Kajang and Bandar Baru Bangi Magistrates’ Courts to facilitate investigations, including efforts to trace the cryptocurrency transactions. The remand orders were subsequently extended before the suspects were released on police bail.
Investigations are ongoing, and authorities have stated that the matter is being treated seriously. Attempts to obtain comments from Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Khalid Ismail, Bukit Aman CID director Datuk M Kumar and Selangor police chief Datuk Sazalee Kahar were unsuccessful.
