KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 23, 2011): A university dropout fleeced dozens of victims into believing he was a lawyer for the King and amassed more than RM200,000 in cash and valuables he stole from them since 2006.
Despite being jailed a year for another crime in 2008, he returned to his old wayward ways.
It was the end of the road on Thursday for the 28-year-old man who has seven previous convictions for robbery, theft and cheating and is wanted for five other criminal offences when he was nabbed by police following a report lodged by a 44-year-old female kuih seller from Taman Wahyu.
Brickfields police chief ACP Wan Bari Wan Abd Khalid said the suspect who introduced himself as a 'Tengku' preyed on small traders such as kuih or nasi lemak sellers and would offer them a "contract" to supply food for the royal palace.
He said the conman introduced himself as a lawyer for the palace and usually targeted women sellers who wore gold jewellery before approaching them.
Wan Bari said when his victims accept the contract, he would apparently arrange for a so called "meeting" at the palace on a given date and time.
He said the suspect, in full lawyer's attire would then meet his victims at the palace gates and cook up a story that members of the public were not allowed to use jewellery or carry any of their belongings into the royal compound.
The crook would then coax his victims to handover their belongings and valuables to him assuring them it would be safe in his possession.
"When he gets hold of the gold, wallets, handphones and other things, he would excuse himself saying he needed go to his car. That is the last time the victims see him." Wan Bari said.
Police also learnt that the Proton Perdana used by the suspect was rented by him at RM2,400 a month since January.
Investigators also believe he is behind at least 40 such cases since 2006.
Police also arrested three people who had bought the stolen items from the suspect in Muar, Batu Pahat and Serendah.
