Latest news with #DatukM.Kumar
New Straits Times
13-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Spa-ctacular loss: Wellness outlets vanish along with RM700,000 in customers' funds
JOHOR BARU: Some 130 police reports have been lodged in Johor against a wellness company accused of defrauding customers across the country, with total reported losses nearing RM700,000. The company allegedly offered attractive treatment packages that could be redeemed at any of its outlets nationwide. Victims claimed they paid in advance based on the number of sessions chosen. However, the customers only realised they had been duped when they could no longer contact the company to set appointments. It was later discovered that the business had quietly shut down all its outlets without notice. Johor police chief, Commissioner Datuk M. Kumar confirmed Johor police received 130 reports since early May, involving losses totalling RM698,155.67. "The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating," he said today. The offence carries a jail term of one to 10 years, caning, and a fine, upon conviction. Yesterday, MCA Youth Complaints and Public Service bureau head, Heng Zhi Li, held a press conference at its headquarters here. He said 54 victims came forward to seek help from the party to resolve their predicament. They claimed to have paid between RM2,400 and RM10,000 for treatment packages after being lured by social media advertisements. However, when they attempted to book appointments, they were told that there were no slots available. Heng believes total victims could number in the thousands, as the spa had dozens of outlets in Johor, Melaka, Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Penang. Earlier this month, the spa owner posted a video saying that his business was facing staff shortages and cash flow problems. Heng said 28 outlets had since shut down, and calls to the owner went unanswered.
New Straits Times
13-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Spa-ctular loss: Wellness outlets vanish along with RM700,000 customer funds
JOHOR BARU: Some 130 police reports have been lodged in Johor against a wellness company accused of defrauding customers across the country, with total reported losses nearing RM700,000. The company allegedly offered attractive treatment packages that could be redeemed at any of its outlets nationwide. Victims claimed they paid in advance based on the number of sessions chosen. However, the customers only realised they had been duped when they could no longer contact the company to set appointments. It was later discovered that the business had quietly shut down all its outlets without notice. Johor police chief, Commissioner Datuk M. Kumar confirmed Johor police received 130 reports since early May, involving losses totalling RM698,155.67. "The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating," he said today. The offence carries a jail term of one to 10 years, caning, and a fine, upon conviction. Investigations are ongoing. Yesterday, MCA Youth Complaints and Public Service bureau head, Heng Zhi Li, held a press conference at its headquarters here. He said 54 victims came forward seeking help for the party with their predicament. They alleged each paid between RM2,400 and RM10,000 for treatment packages with the spa, after they were lured by social media advertisements. However, when they attempted to book appointments, they were told that were no slots available. Heng believes total victims could number in the thousands, as the spa had dozens of outlets in Johor, Melaka, Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Penang. Earlier this month, the owner posted a video citing staff shortages and cash flow problems. He added 28 outlets have since shut down, and calls to the owner went unanswered. Some victims have lodged complaints with the Consumer Claims Tribunal. A hotline (011-6251 5678) has been set up for others to come forward.
The Star
04-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Business owner duped in RM1.8mil online investment scam
JOHOR BARU: A 66-year-old business owner has fallen victim to an online scam, resulting in a loss of approximately RM1.8mil. Johor police chief Comm Datuk M. Kumar said the man came across the online investment scheme advertised on social media in October 2024. 'The scheme appears to offer investors high returns in a short period 'He clicked the link to get more information and learned that he could get 200% profits on investment within three months,' he said in a statement on Sunday (May 4). Believing he could enjoy handsome returns, the company owner began transferring funds totalling RM1.8mil into several bank accounts from November to January this year, following the suspect's instructions. 'The suspect also told the man to download an application and register for the scheme to monitor his investments. 'However, the man has yet to receive any profits, and the suspect could no longer be contacted,' said Comm Kumar, adding that the victim lodged a police report on Saturday (May 3). The case is investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating, which carries a jail term of one to 10 years, caning and a fine upon conviction. Comm Kumar advised the public to be cautious against investment offers that sound too good to be true, especially on social media. 'It is better to check with the authorities, such as the police, Bank Negara Malaysia and Securities Commission, before making any investment decisions,' he added.
The Star
30-04-2025
- The Star
No safe haven for drug pushers
JOHOR BARU: Drug syndicates have been found renting vehicles, as well as homes at gated and guarded premises in Johor to avoid detection, say police. This comes after police carried out a five-day anti-narcotics operation from April 20 across four districts, which led to the arrest of four locals and a Singaporean. The special operation, launched by the Johor police, targeted syndicates operating in Johor Baru, Batu Pahat, Kota Tinggi and Kluang. The raids resulted in the confiscation of various drugs including syabu, ecstasy, ketamine, Erimin 5 pills, heroin, ganja and yaba pills with a total street value of RM8.97mil. Johor police chief Comm Datuk M. Kumar said in one of the operations, police arrested a 36-year-old local man at Jalan Kulai-Kota Tinggi at 8.55pm on April 23. Checks inside the vehicle showed that it contained more than 20kg of powder believed to be ecstasy and 50 Erimin 5 pills. 'The drugs were valued at more than RM3.3mil. Further checks on the vehicle found the suspect had been renting the car, paying a rental of RM180 per day. 'The suspect had been renting cars for a couple of months to sell the drugs to addicts,' he said in a press conference held at the state police headquarters here yesterday. Crime doesn't pay: Comm Kumar (centre) showing US currency money packets used by a Singaporean suspect to traffic drugs, at the state police headquarters in Johor Baru. — THOMAS YONG/The Star Comm Kumar said that in the second operation, police launched two raids between 1.30pm and 7.30pm on April 20 at Jalan Dato Abdullah Tahir here, leading to the arrest of a 22-year-old local man. He said the first raid was conducted on a car parked by the roadside, followed by a second raid at an apartment rented by the suspect, which is near the first location. Police found 9.3kg of ecstasy and 62g of ketamine. 'The total seizure for this operation, which also included the vehicle and RM900 in cash, amounted to RM1.57mil. The suspect had no criminal record, but his urine test came back positive for methamphetamine,' he said. He said the third operation took place between 7pm and 11.30pm on April 21 at a jetty in Batu Pahat, where a 36-year-old local man was arrested. Police seized 20.7kg of syabu along with a four-wheel drive vehicle, which was registered under the name of another person. Comm Kumar said the drugs, valued at more than RM662,000, were believed to have been intended for distribution to a neighbouring country via the jetty. He also said in the fourth operation carried out at 1.30pm on April 23 in Kluang, police arrested a 33-year-old local man after raiding a terraced house belonging to the suspect's wife in Taman Mengkibol. He said police then inspected a car, which belonged to another person, and seized 9.9kg of ecstasy, 0.18kg of ketamine and 78.30g of Erimin 5 pills. The total value of the drugs and assets seized was RM1.8mil. Comm Kumar said in the fifth operation, police raided an apartment at Danga Bay here on April 23 at 10pm where a 47-year-old Singaporean man was arrested. He added that during inspection inside the apartment, police found a variety of drugs, including more than 10kg of ecstasy, 31.3g of ketamine, 44g of cannabis, 9g of heroin, 6g of ecstasy pills and 1.2g of yaba pills, with the drugs valued at more than RM1.6mil. 'Checks with our Singapore counterparts found the suspect has a criminal record in the island republic. Further inspection also found he possessed a fake identification document.' He said the success reflects the police's continued commitment to battling drug distribution networks. 'We have struck a significant blow to drug syndicates with the arrest of the five suspects. 'These operations busted well-organised distribution channels that used gated and guarded premises and vehicles to store and move drugs,' Comm Kumar said.
