SANDAKAN: Police have detained a 32-year-old man for allegedly robbing several women after befriending them on a mobile dating application.
District police chief Assistant Commissioner Mohd Azhar Mohd Hamin said the suspect had met his victims at isolated locations before robbing them at knifepoint.
Azhar said the man, who was nabbed on July 31, is believed to have stolen a total of RM6,000 from the women.
Beetalk is a mobile dating application similar to Tinder.
He also said the suspect had previously pretended to be a police officer to rob unsuspecting motorcyclists.
“Police also seized a fake pistol with a Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) holster, as well as RM150,000 worth of confiscated items including a Perodua Alza, cash and jewellery from the suspect,” Azhar said during a press conference here, today.
The case is being investigated under Section 392/397 of the Penal Code for armed robbery.
“I want to remind vendors selling PDRM uniforms and equipment to be more aware of such individuals and con-men. Make sure you sell these equipment to those with valid identification.
“I also want to remind women not to trust anyone from social media. They need to bring a friend along for meetups to prevent bad things from happening,” he said, adding that the suspect tested positive for drugs and has past criminal records.
On a separate case, police detained four members of Geng Mawar to facilitate investigations into 13 house break-ins around Taman Mawar here.
Azhar said the men, aged between 18 and 38, were arrested between July 20 to 30.
He said police also arrested three men aged between 18 and 30 years old for their alleged involvement in house break-ins and grand theft auto.
“Three of the Geng Mawar members were found positive for drugs and two of them have past criminal records.”
