Secret societies using influencers to recruit new blood
Criminal Investigation Department deputy director Datuk Fadil Marsus said that in the past, secret societies would recruit students in person outside of school.
Now, the secret societies use influencers with large followings among younger social media users.
"Most of them are drawn to the activities highlighted by these influencers," he said in a report by Sinar Ahad.
"The secret societies pay these influencers to promote their activities," he said, adding that police were monitoring the situation. He added that investigations are ongoing.
Fadil said secret societies resorted to criminal activities like robbery, extortion, gambling, human trafficking, and smuggling to generate enough money to survive.
Some also ran protection rackets by intimidating business owners with "threats" that actually came from the group itself.
"They will harass and disrupt the operations of businesses and at the same time, threaten them for money," he said.
Last month, Selangor police arrested six men, aged 20 to 40, who promoted a secret society on TikTok.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Express
2 days ago
- Daily Express
Students advised on online etiquette. Internet not to scam, bully or harass: Fahmi
Published on: Saturday, July 26, 2025 Published on: Sat, Jul 26, 2025 Text Size: Fahmi (third from left) engaging with SM St. Mary's students. PAPAR: The Safe Internet Campaign (Kempen Internet Selamat, KIS) plays a crucial role in strengthening digital literacy and awareness, especially among students, said Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil. He said the campaign reflects a strategic approach by the Ministry of Communications through the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), which goes beyond internet access to focus on safe, ethical, and responsible internet use. 'We can use the internet, TikTok, WhatsApp but we must always be cautious. Don't use it to bully, to scam, or to harass others. 'I hope everything you learned today will be put into practice. And to the teachers, I urge you to be extra careful,' he said during an engagement with the SM St. Mary community in conjunction with the campaign. Fahmi explained that one initiative under KIS was to appoint Safe Internet Icons for schools. 'Each month, we will share the latest information on scams because we don't want even teachers to fall victim,' he added. At the event, Fahmi presented a Safe Internet Campaign poster to SM St. Mary principal Philip Chew, and awarded K-Dat Icon vests to Norzanidah Hazeyani Abdul Kini (teacher) and Faradira Haratio (student). The teacher icon is responsible for promoting online safety awareness within the school, while the student icon serves as a peer guide for safe, smart, and ethical internet use. Also present were Limbahau Assemblyman Datuk Juil Nuatim, Communications Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa, and MCMC Chief of State Affairs Bukhari Yahya. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Free Malaysia Today
2 days ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Cops kill suspected robbery gang leaders in Cheras shootout
Bukit Aman criminal investigation department acting director Fadil Marsus said police found various housebreaking tools, drugs, a revolver, and a semi-automatic pistol in the vehicle. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : Two foreign men suspected of being the masterminds of an armed robbery and housebreaking gang were killed in a shootout with police at Jalan Semerah Padi, Cheras, early this morning. Bukit Aman criminal investigation department acting director Fadil Marsus said the suspects were studying a target when police confronted them at 3.45am. 'They were travelling in a white Honda Civic, reported as stolen in Subang Jaya in 2023. 'As police attempted to intercept them, a shootout ensued, resulting in both suspects being killed at the scene,' Bernama reported him as saying at the location. Fadil said police found various housebreaking tools, drugs, a revolver, and a semi-automatic pistol in the vehicle. Investigations found that the two men were allegedly involved in 50 cases of housebreaking and armed robbery as well as drug-related activities dating back to 2022, resulting in losses of more than RM3 million. Fadil said the gang is believed to be active in several states, including Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, and Perak. The group has around 15 members, and police are tracking down the remaining individuals, he said.
The Star
2 days ago
- The Star
Duo linked to armed robbery syndicate shot dead
End of the road: Police surrounding the suspects' car after the shooting incident that saw two foreigners killed. KUALA LUMPUR: Two foreign men, believed to be the masterminds behind a violent armed robbery and housebreaking syndicate, were shot dead by police. The gang, which has been active since 2022 and responsible for over RM3mil in losses, also injured their victims. The suspects, who were in a car, were intercepted by a team from Bukit Aman CID and Pahang CID during a crime prevention patrol under Ops Aman 6 in Taman Pertama, Cheras, at about 3.45am yesterday. The car used by the suspects was also reported stolen in Subang Jaya in 2023. Acting Bukit Aman CID director Deputy Comm Datuk Fadil Marsus said the suspects acted aggressively when police attempted to stop the vehicle for inspection. 'They rammed into police vehicles and shot at our personnel, forcing our team to return fire. 'Both suspects were killed inside the car,' he told reporters at the scene yesterday. DCP Fadil said two firearms – a revolver and semi-automatic pistol – were recovered, as well as drugs and tools believed to have been used in house break-ins and armed robberies. 'Investigations showed the two men were key figures in a 15-member foreign gang targeting luxury homes, including bungalows and corner units in the Klang Valley, Negri Sembilan, Perak and Pahang. 'We believe they were in the midst of planning another robbery, based on the items seized such as bolt cutters, gloves, masks, firearms and drugs,' DCP Fadil said. He added that efforts are now underway to track down the remaining 13 gang members, with the mobilisation of police forces in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Perak, Pahang and Negri Sembilan. 'So far, the gang has been linked to over 50 cases, but police suspect there may be more victims. 'We urge them to come forward and lodge a report at the nearest police station to assist us in investigations,' he added.
