ACP Mohd Taib (left) showing one of the cloned vehicles seized at the Johor Baru North headquarters. — Photos: NORBAITI PHAHARORADZI/The Star
JOHOR BARU: Police have crippled a clone car syndicate which sells luxurious vehicles for as low as RM3,000 each in Taman Perling.
Johor Baru North OCPD Asst Comm Mohd Taib Ahmad said that following a tip-off, two suspects, both aged 22 years, were arrested along with six vehicles worth RM800,000 at around 5pm on April 5.
“Initial investigations showed that one of the suspects is a Singaporean and that both of them did not have any past criminal records. The suspects will be remanded for 14 days to assist with investigations.
“Among the vehicles confiscated included Nissan Murano, BMW 523i, Toyota Previa, Honda Civic FD, Volvo and a Honda Airwave which were sold between RM3,000 and RM10,000 each to buyers," he said.
Among other items seized includ ed both Malaysian and Singapore plate numbers, fake road tax, a computer, a printer and Singapore smart tax machines.
ACP Mohd Taib said that the cloned vehicles had been been scrapped in Singapore as they were over eight years old.
“The syndicate will find an identical vehicle including its model, colour and plate number for the cloned car.
“The syndicate will bring in the vehicles from Singapore about three months before the expiry date of the vehicles' certificate of entitlement (COE) and sell it to Malaysian buyers through Facebook, We Chat and and other mediums.
“We are on the hunt for another four suspects believed to be involved in this syndicate, including the mastermind aged 45 years and believed to be a Singaporean,” he said, adding that so far they had confiscated about 13 cloned cars since January.
He said that the case was being investigated under Section 135(d) of the Customs Act 1967, and carries a maximum four-year jail sentence, or a fine of up to 20 times the value of the seized item or both.
