KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 17 — An attempt by three men from Sierra Leone to sell counterfeit United States (US) dollars, believed to have been obtained through a social media platform, to local buyers failed after being busted by the police during a raid in the capital.
The three men, aged between 20 and 30, who entered Malaysia as students at a private university college in Selangor between 2022 and this year, were arrested at a condominium on October 2.
Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department director Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf said they are believed to have started at the beginning of this year by buying fake money through social media applications at a price of only RM6.97 for 10,000 US dollars notes.
“They will resell the fake money to unsuspecting buyers in Malaysia at a price of RM1,000 for 10,000 pieces,” he said during a press conference today.
Ramli added that the syndicate involved is believed to obtain their supply of counterfeit money from China.
During the raid, the police also seized four US$100 notes, two blank pieces of paper measuring the size of US$100 notes, passports, and two cars; a Naza Forte and a Proton Iriz.
All those detained are remanded until Monday (October 21), under the Immigration Act 1959/63. The case is being investigated under Section 489B of the Penal Code.
— Bernama
