Woman in Meradong arrested over iPhone scam, other online cheating cases

BINTANGOR (Feb 21): Police have arrested a young woman yesterday believed to be involved in several online scam cases, including the sale of a non-existent iPhone at a bargain price.

The suspect, in her 20s, was arrested at about 11.10am here yesterday by personnel from the Commercial Crime Investigation Division (CCID) of the Meradong District Police Headquarters.

Meradong police chief DSP Tansli Mering said the arrest followed investigations into e-commerce and phone scam activities reported in the district.

He said the suspect allegedly impersonated someone known to a victim before requesting money on the pretext of facing urgent financial problems.

“In another case, she is believed to have advertised an iPhone 12 Pro Max on Facebook at a price much lower than the current market rate, causing a victim to suffer losses amounting to RM1,130,” he said in a statement.

Initial investigations also linked the suspect to similar police reports lodged in Gombak and Port Dickson.

Background checks revealed that the suspect has no prior criminal record.

The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating, which carries a jail term of between one and 10 years, whipping, and a fine upon conviction.

Tansli reminded the public to exercise caution when conducting online transactions and to verify suspicious accounts with the police.

Victims of scams here are urged to immediately contact the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) via hotline 997 or the Bintangor Police Station at 084-693222.