IPOH: A counterfeit money syndicate has been crippled with the arrest of five suspects in Pusing.
Acting Perak police chief Deputy Comm Zulkafli Sariaat said two men and three women were picked up during a raid at a homestay at 1.30am on Monday.
He said on Jan 29, police received three reports from a clothing store owner and petrol station operator in Kerian on the use of counterfeit money at their outlets.
“During the raid, police seized three counterfeit RM100 notes, one counterfeit RM20 note, six mobile phones, a laptop, a ream of A4 paper, pair of scissors and several pieces of clothing. A vehicle with a false licence plate was also seized,” he said in a statement yesterday.
DCP Zulkafli said the suspects were believed to have printed the counterfeit money and used it to buy clothing, beverages, petrol and phone top-up credit.
“The syndicate also used it to buy mobile phones advertised on social media. They would meet the sellers, hand over the fake cash as payment before taking the phones. They also used fake vehicle licence plates,” he said.
DCP Zulkafli said investigations revealed that the syndicate was involved in nine counterfeit money cases in Ipoh, Batu Gajah, Manjung, Kuala Kangsar and Kerian reported in 2024 and 2025, with 83 false RM100 notes and three RM20 notes recovered so far by police.
He said the suspects, who had prior criminal records for crimes, drug and commercial offences, tested positive for methamphetamine and amphetamine, adding that one of the female suspects was currently facing trial in Selangor for a similar case.
DCP Zulkafli said the case was being investigated under Section 489B, 489C, and 489D of the Penal Code, and Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
