Police Dismantle Robbery Gang Using Same-Sex Dating App

ISKANDAR PUTERI: Police have arrested five local men believed to be involved in a gang robbery targeting victims met through a same-sex dating application on 30 May.

Johor Police Chief Datuk Ab Rahaman Arsad said the suspects, aged between 21 and 28 years old, were arrested at 11.30 am in Brinchang, Cameron Highlands, Pahang by a team from the Johor Bahru Selatan District Police Headquarters (IPD).

He said the incidents involved nine male local victims aged between 25 and 40 years old with losses amounting to RM315,220 in the Taman Pelangi and Kampung Majidee areas from January to May this year.

“The suspects used the application to find victims and invite them to meet inside a car.

“Then, the suspects’ accomplices posed as security personnel and threatened the victims by accusing them of committing indecent acts in public places,” he said at a press conference at the Iskandar Puteri IPD here today.

He said the victims were also injured and personal belongings such as debit and credit cards, jewellery and cash were seized.

The suspects also obtained the victims’ bank card passwords and withdrew money to purchase jewellery.

“The investigation found that the information obtained (from the suspects) was consistent with the robbery incidents as reported by all the victims,” he said.

Ab Rahaman said police seized five mobile phones, a Perodua Bezza car, one gold purchase receipt, five debit cards, four chains and four pairs of earrings each, as well as two rings and two gold bracelets.

All suspects tested negative for drugs but had previous criminal records related to robbery and drugs.

The case is being investigated under Section 394 of the Penal Code, and three of the suspects will be charged at the Johor Bahru Sessions Court tomorrow.

Bernama