KUALA LUMPUR: Some RM1.1mil worth of cloned vehicles have been seized in a massive enforcement operation spanning six states and territories.
A total of 12 suspects – 10 men and two women – were also detained in the operation spearheaded by Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) D4 from March 12 to 15.
CID director Comm Datuk M. Kumar said those detained, aged between 33 and 60, comprise eight suspected buyers, two middlemen, a second-hand car dealer and a man wanted by Singaporean authorities.
The wanted man has since been handed over to Singapore, he added.
"The raids were conducted in Kedah, Kelantan, Johor, Negri Sembilan, Kuala Lumpur and Selangor.
"We started gathering intelligence for about five months before conducting Ops Lejang Mewah Klon," he told a press conference here on Wednesday (March 18).
Eight of the vehicles seized were cloned while four others were reported stolen in Singapore, he said.
"Among the vehicles seized were three Toyota Vellfires, two Toyota Estimas and a Toyota Camry," he added.
The syndicate used various tactics to evade detection including modifying the chassis numbers of vehicles, which were stolen and reported as total loss in accidents, Comm Kumar said.
"All eight vehicles obtained Road Transport department (JPJ) vehicle grants and passed Puspakom inspections.
"However, when we checked further, we discovered that the engine and chassis numbers had been tampered with and modified," he said.
The vehicles were sold directly to buyers through middlemen or dealers, he added.
"The cloned vehicles would be sold for much less than the market price, between 50% and 60% lower.
"For example, a 2023 Vellfire was sold for RM100,000. The transactions would involve cash," he said, adding that social media was also used to promote the cloned vehicles.
He also advised the public to notify JPJ if their vehicles were declared as a total loss, to prevent their details from being misused by cloned vehicle syndicates.
"We are also investigating if there is any involvement of 'inside men' but for now, it is too premature to say.
"We will ask JPJ and Puspakom to assist as well," he added.
Comm Kumar said the investigation is still at an early stage as the CID intends to uncover other syndicate members, including the mastermind.
"We will expand the investigation until the syndicate is completely dismantled," he said.
