Duo arrested for duping man into buying fake 'Datuk Seri' title

SHAH ALAM: Police have arrested two men for allegedly duping a man into paying RM140,000 to receive a 'Datuk Seri' title.

Selangor police chief Comm Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said they received a report from the victim in February.

He said the victim claimed he had made a deal to receive the Darjah Kebesaran Seri Paduka Mahkota Selangor (SPMS) award, which carries the "Datuk Seri" title, by making a RM600,000 donation.

"In order to convince the victim, the suspect handed over a letter supposedly issued by the Selangor palace to confer the award," he said in a statement Tuesday (March 21).

He said the victim paid RM140,000 to the suspect over several transactions.

"The victim realised something was amiss when his name was not in the list of individuals to receive the award.

"The victim refused to pay any more money and lodged a police report," he said, adding that police conducted raids in Melaka and Selangor on March 15 and 17 and arrested two suspects.

He said police also contacted the Selangor Palace to authenticate the letter and was told that it was fake.

"During the raids, we also seized documents including the fake letter and several mobile phones used by the suspects to dupe victims.

"Investigations were carried out for cheating under Section 420 of the Penal Code and the Deputy Public Prosecutor's office instructed us to charge both suspects," he said, adding that both suspects were charged at the Shah Alam Court Complex on Tuesday.

Comm Hussein advised the public to be cautious when making any arrangements on awards or titles.

"We have checked with the Palace and there is no such sale of awards or titles.

"This is against the law and also taints the good name of the Selangor Palace," he said.