Five Men Arrested Over Alleged Robbery Scheme Targeting Victims Through Dating App
ISKANDAR PUTERI: Johor police have arrested five local men believed to be part of a robbery syndicate that allegedly targeted victims through an online dating application, ending months of investigations into a string of cases reported earlier this year.
Johor police chief Datuk Ab. Rahaman Arsad said the suspects, aged between 21 and 28, were detained during an operation in Cameron Highlands, Pahang on May 30.
The arrests followed investigations into nine police reports lodged between January and May involving male victims aged between 25 and 40.
According to Ab. Rahaman, the victims claimed they had arranged meetings with individuals they had recently met through a social media dating platform, only to be robbed shortly after the encounters began.
Initial investigations revealed that the suspects would persuade victims to meet in areas around Taman Pelangi and Majidee before inviting them into a vehicle.
“Once the victims entered the vehicle, several accomplices would appear and pretend to be security personnel.
“They would accuse the victims of engaging in inappropriate behaviour, threaten them and subsequently assault them before demanding cash and valuables,” he told a press conference at the Iskandar Puteri district police headquarters today.
Ab. Rahaman said the total losses suffered by all victims amounted to RM315,220, involving cash, jewellery and other personal belongings.
Following intelligence gathering and detailed investigations, police successfully tracked down and arrested the five suspects at approximately 11.30pm on May 30.
During the operation, police also seized several items believed to be linked to the crimes.
Among the items confiscated were five mobile phones, a Perodua Bezza car, five credit cards and various pieces of jewellery.
The jewellery included four gold necklaces, four pairs of earrings, two gold rings and two gold bracelets.
“Further checks revealed that all suspects have previous criminal records, including offences related to narcotics.
“However, urine screening tests conducted on them returned negative results for drug abuse,” he said.
The police chief added that the suspects have been remanded to facilitate further investigations and legal proceedings.
The case is being investigated under Section 394 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing hurt while committing robbery, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code for acts committed with common intention.
“Three of the five suspects are expected to be charged in court,” he said.
Ab. Rahaman urged members of the public to exercise caution when interacting with strangers through online platforms and social media applications.
He advised users to arrange first meetings in public places, inform family members or friends of their whereabouts and avoid placing excessive trust in people they have only recently met online.
“Police take crimes involving digital platforms very seriously.
“We urge anyone who encounters suspicious activities or becomes a victim of crime to come forward and lodge a police report immediately,” he said.
He added that public cooperation remains crucial in helping authorities combat evolving criminal tactics, particularly those involving impersonation and the misuse of technology.
Police believe further investigations may reveal whether the group is linked to other cases with similar methods either in Johor or elsewhere in the country.
