Paid to remove bad luck, lost a fortune instead: Police say ritual scam cost Sabah victims RM600,000

KOTA KINABALU, Aug 14 — Law enforcement authorities have apprehended 12 individuals, comprising seven Chinese women, in connection with a so-called “Chinese-medium” scam that resulted in losses of approximately RM600,000. State Deputy Chief Police Officer Datuk Mohd Azhar Hamin disclosed that the suspects, consisting of 10 women and two men, are believed to be part of a syndicate that had been active since the beginning of the year.

According to the police, the syndicate allegedly offered fortune-telling, traditional treatments, and rituals aimed at removing bad luck. The arrests were conducted during joint operations in Kota Kinabalu, Penampang, Keningau, and Kota Belud over the past weekend by the Sabah Police Commercial Crime Investigation Department, with support from district commercial crime teams.

Mohd Azhar stated that four suspects were detained in Kota Kinabalu and Keningau on Saturday, while an additional eight individuals, including seven Chinese women, were apprehended in Kota Belud the following day. The syndicate allegedly approached victims, offering traditional medicine, health treatments, or rituals to dispel bad luck.

These individuals were then introduced to another woman who claimed to possess psychic abilities, provide medical care, or perform rituals. Victims were persuaded to surrender cash or jewelry, ostensibly for prayers, invocations, or rituals. Subsequently, the money or jewelry would be taken away or substituted with other items placed in a plastic bag or another bag, according to the police.

The syndicate is suspected to be responsible for at least five or six reported incidents in Kota Kinabalu, Penampang, and Sandakan since early this year, with total losses estimated at around RM600,000. The cases are currently under investigation under Section 420 of the Penal Code.