They paid for fake titles

JOHOR BARU: A group of businessmen here learnt a costly lesson after they were duped into paying a total of RM1.3mil for fake titles of Datuk and Datuk Seri.

The group, believed to number a dozen, had paid a man claiming to be a member of the Perak royalty for the awards last year.

It is understood that there was an “investiture ceremony” at a posh hotel in Perak at the end of last year, during which the businessmen were “awarded” the medals and titles.

Since then, the businessmen have been using their titles in their dealings and on their name cards, with some placing the Datuk emblem on their cars.

Recently, one of the businessmen suspecting that something was amiss, decided to check with the Perak state secretary’s office and found that the titles were not recognised by the state government.

The businessman, in his 50s, lodged a police report upon further discovery that the so-called member of royalty was actually a bankrupt who had used their money to settle dues with the Insolvency Department.

Police have started an investigation into the case, arresting two people, including a man claiming to be a Datuk, so far.

The authorities also do not discount the possibility that there could be other victims.

Seri Alam Acting OCPD Deputy Supt Nor Azam Shaari confirmed the report and that the investigation has been handed over to Bukit Aman.

The Star had previously reported that the Council of Federal Datuks Malaysia was working with the Prime Minister’s Department on an enactment to stop such incidents.

Among others, it was suggested that a federal database of vetted Datuks be set up for the public.