POLICE in Kota Kinabalu police have detained 12 people, including seven women from China, over an alleged “Chinese-medium” scam syndicate believed to have defrauded victims of about RM600,000 through fake fortune-telling, traditional treatment and rituals to remove bad luck.
State Deputy Police Commissioner Datuk Mohd Azhar Hamin said the suspects, comprising 10 women and two men, were believed to have been operating since early this year.
The arrests followed raids conducted by the Sabah Commercial Crime Investigation Department, assisted by district commercial crime investigation teams, in Kota Kinabalu, Penampang, Keningau and Kota Belud last Saturday and Sunday.
Mohd Azhar said four suspects were arrested during raids in Kota Kinabalu and Keningau on Saturday, while eight others, including seven Chinese women, were detained in Kota Belud the following day.
He said the syndicate allegedly targeted victims by offering traditional medicine, treatment for illnesses or rituals purportedly intended to remove bad luck.
The suspects would then introduce another woman who claimed to possess fortune-telling abilities or could provide treatment and perform rituals.
“Victims were persuaded to hand over cash or jewellery, supposedly for prayers, incantations or rituals. The money or jewellery would then be taken away or replaced with other items placed inside a plastic bag or another bag,” he said.
Mohd Azhar said victims were subsequently instructed not to open the bags for a specified period, giving the suspects time to leave the area.
The syndicate is believed to be linked to at least five or six reported cases in Kota Kinabalu, Penampang and Sandakan since early this year, with total losses estimated at around RM600,000.
The cases are being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.
Police investigations are continuing to establish the full extent of the syndicate's activities and identify whether other victims were targeted. - August 14, 2026
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