Padang Besar police bust suspected Vellfire insurance scam, arrest four including civil servant

KANGAR, Sept 19 — Authorities in Padang Besar have apprehended four individuals, including a civil servant, in connection with a suspected insurance scam involving the theft of a Toyota Vellfire. According to Padang Besar police chief ACP Mohd Shokri Abdullah, the suspects, aged between 32 and 45, were taken into custody during raids in the Padang Besar and Arau districts on Thursday evening.

The primary suspect, a 42-year-old civil servant from Perlis, allegedly traveled to Kuala Lumpur on July 16 for a course, using his wife's black Toyota Vellfire. On July 17, the suspect reported the vehicle missing in Sungai Besi. Investigations revealed that this disappearance was likely a staged incident orchestrated by the main suspect and his 45-year-old brother to secure an insurance claim.

Police believe the vehicle was subsequently taken to a workshop in Kaki Bukit, Padang Besar for dismantling, with valuable parts sold off. Two additional men, also aged 32, are suspected to have aided in the scheme. All four individuals are currently in detention and awaiting further proceedings at the Cheras District Police Headquarters in Selangor.

The case falls under Section 379A of the Penal Code, which deals with motor vehicle theft, with penalties ranging from one to seven years in prison and a fine upon conviction. Police have warned against the misuse of police reports for personal gain, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the integrity of investigations and resource allocation.