KUALA LUMPUR: Using a fake "Datuk Seri" title, a man is alleged to have cheated investors over a mega-project worth RM20bil which was said to involve nano-technology, green technology, biodiesel, and construction.
Selangor police chief Comm Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said they believe the suspect is still in the country.
"We strongly believe this bogus Datuk Seri is still in Malaysia," he said when contacted on Tuesday (May 21).
Petaling Jaya OCPD Asst Comm Shahrulnizam Ja'afar said a police probe into the case has been completed and they were now tracing the whereabouts of the main suspect as well as a lecturer.
"Although I cannot reveal the details of the suspect involved at this point, we have handed over the details of this individual to a task force which has been formed to locate him.
"We will know more about the involvement of the female lecturer once the main suspect has been caught," he said when contacted on Tuesday.
He said based on their investigations the suspect claimed to be a Datuk Seri, when in fact he was never awarded such a title but declined to elaborate further on the case as it could jeopardise their investigations.
The Petaling Jaya Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) is currently investigating the case under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.
The main suspect also claimed to have lived in Denmark for over two decades and had a doctorate in philosophy from there.
A Malay daily reported that the man also claimed to have acquaintances in a leading green technology company there.
The suspect claimed that his company had expertise in developing nano-technology, green techology, biodiesel and construction as a means to convince investors and also promised high returns.
It was also reported that the suspect and several acquaintances set up several other companies and had appointed a senior lecturer who had expertise in the field to find investors willing to put their money into developing green technology parks in Raub, Pahang as well as the Kulim International Airport (KXP) project in Kedah.
To further convince investors, the man together with his partners including the lecturer presented a paper related to the project involved, which they estimated to be worth RM20bil.
