Twelve Malaysian policemen of various ranks, including Deputy Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent, were arrested on July 25 for allegedly extorting RM2 million from a foreign national in Kuala Lumpur [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]. The victim reportedly paid about US$140,000 (approximately RM560,000 to RM572,000) before filing a police report at Dang Wangi police district headquarters [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]. Authorities say only part of the demanded RM2 million was paid prior to the report [2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7].
Investigations are ongoing, and a portion of the extorted money has been recovered [2, 3, 4, 5, 7]. The policemen are being investigated under Section 384 of the Penal Code for extortion [8, 6, 9]. All 12 men, aged between 24 and 47, have been released on police bail pending further inquiry [8, 6, 9].
Conflicting reports emerged about the victim's nationality. Initial accounts identified him as either a Chinese citizen or a Vanuatu citizen [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]. However, police later established he is a Chinese national wanted by China for fraud, with Interpol seeking his arrest [8, 6, 9]. Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Fadil Marsus said, "Checks through Interpol found that the complainant is a Chinese national who is wanted in China for fraud. There are also doubts over the passport submitted by the complainant" [8]. Vanuatu consular-general Henry Savarimuthu expressed surprise at the allegations, noting, "If we grant a foreigner Vanuatu citizenship, it means our checks have found no criminal record against this person" [6].
The foreign victim and two female accomplices—one Chinese and one Thai—were detained for passport and immigration offenses following the police raids on condominium units between the night of July 24 and early July 25 [8, 6, 9]. The victim’s involvement in criminal activities complicates the case.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the arrests show the police do not tolerate misconduct among their ranks. He stated, "The fact that the police arrested, detained and took action sends a clear message that police will not tolerate this at all, even against its own members" [5, 6].
The case attracted public attention due to similarities with a February cryptocurrency extortion case involving Chinese nationals in Kajang [4].
The next significant development is the continuation of investigations and the pending further legal action on the policemen and the alleged extortion case.
