Bukit Aman nabs two over KLIA Haj scam, denies detaining stranded pilgrims
KUALA LUMPUR, June 5 — Federal police said today that two individuals were arrested for allegedly masterminding a Haj pilgrimage scam that saw several pilgrims stranded at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).
Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department acting director Commissioner Datuk Muhammad Hasbullah Ali also refuted a news article claiming the detention of the aforementioned pilgrim group for using tourist visas to enter Mecca on June 2.
'In the incident which took place, 'Op Haji Terkandas' personnel detected the presence of a pilgrim group at KLIA waiting for someone with the title 'Datuk'.
'This individual was believed to be responsible for handing over their relevant visas for the pilgrimage. However, those visas were never obtained,' he said in a statement here.
Subsequently, a couple that had surrendered their passports to two individuals offering free Haj packages lodged a report.
This was after their promised flight to Mecca on June 1 failed to materialise and the travel agency did not provide any other flight confirmation as of June 3.
The complainants also told the police they were worried their personal details and passports would be misused.
'A total of seven reports have been linked to this agency. No monetary losses were reported as the packages were offered without charge,' he said.
Muhammad Hasbullah said the suspects detained were aged 36 and 39.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
30 minutes ago
- Malay Mail
Three, including child, killed as boat capsizes in Tanjung Harapan, couple still missing, says Selangor MMEA
SHAH ALAM, June 7 — Three people, including a child, died after a boat capsized in the waters off Tanjung Harapan, Port Klang, yesterday. Selangor Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) director, Maritime Captain Abdul Muhaimin Muhammad Salleh, said the incident occurred at around 5 pm and involved six locals, aged between three and 50. He said two other victims, a married couple, were reported missing, while one victim was rescued by fishermen. The search for the two missing individuals continued this morning, with the firefighters conducting diving operations. 'The deceased victims are Darren Gan, a three-year-old son of the missing couple, and Cheu Son Hin, 50, both found in the front compartment of the boat,' he added. 'Also killed was Fong Yong Sen, 29, a friend of the couple, while another victim, Chang Yan Qin Alvin, 17, survived,' he said in a statement here today. He added that the missing victims were identified as Gan Hon Tat, 32, and his wife, Careen Man, 29, both from Klang Utama. Abdul Muhaimin said initial investigations found that the boat likely lost control before capsizing. He added that his team activated the rescue operation at 5.16 pm after receiving information about the incident. The operation was promptly launched, involving assets from the MMEA and supported by the Marine Police Force (PPM), the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM), as well as passenger boats nearby. 'The capsized boat was successfully towed to the floating jetty of the Selangor MMEA headquarters before the search and rescue operation was suspended at around 8 pm,' he said. Yesterday, a video went viral showing the boat being towed by another vessel after capsizing in the area. — Bernama
Malay Mail
an hour ago
- Malay Mail
Underground blast near sewer startles Bukit Minyak residents, no injuries reported, says Penang Fire Dept
BUKIT MERTAJAM, June 7 — People in the Lengkok Perindustrian Bukit Minyak area were startled today by an underground explosion near a sewer line, which released smoke into the air. Penang Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) assistant director of Operations, John Sagun Francis, said an emergency call was received at 2.46 pm, and a team was immediately dispatched to the scene. 'Upon arrival, firefighters found that the explosion had occurred near a sewer line and detected a gas odour at the site. Witnesses also reported seeing smoke. Firefighters conducted a size-up and measured the surrounding air quality, including pH levels,' he said in a statement today. The operation was supported by the Hazardous Materials unit from the Sungai Bakap Fire and Rescue Station. Tests showed that the pH level of the liquid in the sewer was neutral. Further checks confirmed that the sewer line belongs to Indah Water Konsortium (IWK), and the company has been notified to take further action. The operation concluded at 4.38 pm, and no injuries were reported. — Bernama
Malay Mail
an hour ago
- Malay Mail
Police sergeant killed in motorcycle crash on NSE near Kuala Kangsar
IPOH, June 7 — A police sergeant was killed while on his way home to Kedah after the motorcycle he was riding skidded at Kilometre 253.7 of the North-South Expressway (NSE) northbound near Kuala Kangsar yesterday. Perak police chief Datuk Noor Hisam Nordin said in the incident at about 7.24 pm, the victim Shamsul Ishak, 58, who was attached to the Special Branch of the Kedah contingent police headquarters sustained injuries to his left rib area. 'Further investigations found that when the victim reached the location of the incident, he was believed to have lost control (of the motorcycle) and veered off, crashing into the metal road divider, causing him to be thrown off. The victim, who was severely injured, was taken by ambulance to Taiping Hospital for further treatment. 'However, he was pronounced dead at around 9.24 pm in the hospital's emergency ward,' he said. He also said the victim was believed to have been on holiday and making his way back home to Alor Setar, Kedah after meeting with his friends across the state. He added that further investigations are still ongoing and the case is now being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987. — Bernama
