KOTA KINABALU: A woman believed to be the brains behind a syndicate that solicited tens of thousands of ringgit from applicants for low-cost housing has been detained.
Her arrest came soon after her two sons in their 20s were picked up to assist investigations.
A source said the woman, in her 40s, was roped in when she went to facilitate the probe at Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's (MACC) Sandakan office at 10.35pm on Friday (Feb 2).
The syndicate had asked for RM10,000 from each applicant "to smoothen” their applications for the people’s housing scheme since last year, the source added.
Sabah MACC director Datuk S Karunanithy, when contacted on Saturday (Feb 3), confirmed the arrest of three people, under Section 16(a)(A) of the MACC Act 2009 for accepting gratification.
He urged those who had fallen victims to such syndicates to contact the commission and help in the probe.
In Sept last year, the Chief Minister’s office had warned the public to be alert of scams pertaining to job vacancies and free houses on social media.
