Man sought over non-event; break-ins solved
Published on: Thursday, October 01, 2015
Kota Kinabalu: Police are on the lookout for a 29-year-old man to facilitate investigations on a cheating case involving the "Borneo Mud Challenge" (BMC) extreme sports event which failed to take place in Putatan, Penampang.City Police Chief ACP M. Chandra said 29 police reports related to the case had been lodged from Sept 1 to Sept 29 by 153 BMC participants, namely 134 in the city and 19 in other districts, several of which identified a Murut from Kg Potuki, Lokawi in Penampang, as the main person involved. The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating. Of this figure, 21 reports were lodged in the city while eight were lodged in other districts, namely two in Penampang, two in Keningau and one each in Kinabatangan, Lahad Datu and Labuan.
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The total losses to date involved RM20,267, namely RM17, 849 involving victims in the city and RM2,418 in other districts. The registration fee is said to have been between RM80 and RM800 depending on the category."The man is said to be one of the directors and event organiser for the said company. However, checks showed that his name was not listed in the company's Board of Directors," Chandra told a media conference held at the Kota Kinabalu police headquarters here, on Wednesday. "We have verified with those who have met the man in person, that he fits the photo of the individual uploaded on social media," he said, adding that the man has not lodged a report to deny the allegations.Police are also seeking a 22-year-old woman, believed to be the man's girlfriend, from the Beverly Hills apartments to facilitate investigations.
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He explained the woman's assistance was being sought as her bank account was used to deposit the registration fees, adding she has lodged a report to deny having any knowledge of the matter. "We have not narrowed down the exact number of participants but we believe there are more than the figure stated and we urge them, including international participants, to lodge a police report," he said.
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"This case is sensitive as it involves international participants. It looked so official but failed to take place, giving a bad image to Sabah and we are taking this as a case of interest," he added. Chandra said police are keen to hear from one Jonathan John Jipil and Ng Chee Hui, adding those with information should contact ASP Ruzaidi Saad at 016-4787713 and Insp. Mohd Nasrul at 010-5350846.Meanwhile, he urged the media to screen each event advertised as well as to obtain detailed information of those organising the event to avoid cheating. He also advised the public to check with relevant quarters on the status of any event advertised on-line before making any transactions especially if the payment is to be deposited into personal bank accounts. It was reported in April that the BMC organised by Eco Extreme Borneo Sdn Bhd will make its first appearance on Sunday (Sept 27). Featuring a 10-kilometre race with 25 medium-to-high level obstacle courses, the BMC was reported to be the first obstacle challenge race of its kind to take place in the country with rewards for first, second and third fastest winners for the men and women open, as well as the group categories with RM15,000 worth of cash prizes for the winners.Meanwhile, Police have nabbed two men and are on the hunt for their leader for suspected involvement in eight office break-ins and theft of Telekom cables here.The arrests came following a sudden increase of break-ins involving office premises from July to September. "The group, which specialises in office break-ins has been active since July, targeting office premises which they saw as easy targets," Chandra said. "The arrests lead us to believe that we have solved eight office break-in cases and we are now on the lookout for the 25-year-old mastermind who is still at large," he said. The duo were picked up between 7am and 10.15am on Thursday, in Inanam and Likas.The arrests involved a 24-year-old Suluk and a 38-year-old Bajau, both unemployed, from Kg Bakau in Likas. He said several electronic gadgets including knives, all worth about RM10,000 were seized from the duo. "They are believed to be responsible for eight office break-ins in Inanam and Menggatal with total losses worth RM40,850," he said. In a separate case, a 23-year-old Chinese electrician from Taman Sepanggar was also arrested, believed responsible for several car break-ins in Luyang and Menggatal involving losses worth about RM17,500. Police are now on the lookout for his accomplice identified only as Ah Vui. Chandra said a Proton Wira believed to be used in the car break-ins as well as several electronic gadgets all worth about RM13,000 were confiscated from the man. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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