KUALA LUMPUR: A foreigner, who claimed he was extorted by police, was detained when it was discovered that he is a suspected scammer wanted in China.
Kuala Lumpur police chief Comm Datuk Fadil Marsus said Interpol confirmed the Chinese national’s wanted status.
“Checks with Interpol revealed that the complainant is wanted in China for fraud-related offences,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Fadil said authorities also discovered discrepancies in the complainant’s passport.
“The complainant had been travelling with a Vanuatu passport stating he was born in Pontianak, Indonesia, whereas Interpol records indicate that his place of birth is China,” said Comm Fadil.
On July 27, the complainant was arrested together with two women. One of the women was released since her travel documents were in order.
The complainant and the second woman were remanded for 14 days, with investigations being conducted under the Immigration Act and the Passports Act.
On the extortion allegation, Comm Fadil said a total of 15 officers were detained for investigation.
“The complainant and his two female companions alleged that a group of between 12 and 15 individuals, including a woman, identified themselves as police officers before raiding their condominium unit in Jalan Ampang,” he said.
The group accused the complainant of being a member of a scam syndicate operating in Kuala Lumpur and China.
After being taken to the Kuala Lumpur police contingent headquarters, the complainant alleged that two police officers instructed him to transfer money into a bank account in exchange for freedom.
“Fearing arrest, the complainant transferred the money as instructed,” he said.
The 15 police personnel have since been released on bail.
