Police are finalising investigation papers concerning five Iranian nationals arrested in connection with alleged thefts targeting foreign tourists in the George Town city centre last Saturday. Acting Penang police chief Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin confirmed that all five individuals, aged 19 to 35, have completed their police remand period and are now being held by the Immigration Department (JIM) until 15 August.
“Police are still conducting investigations from various angles including the possibility of their involvement in similar cases in other places (other states) however, there have been no findings so far. Investigations so far show that they are involved in three cases reported in the George Town area and we are completing the investigation papers before it is sent to the Deputy Public Prosecutor’s Office for further action,” Mohd Alwi told Bernama.
The police are also awaiting confirmation from JIM regarding the authenticity of the five Iranians’ passports, including those of a married couple, as well as records detailing their entry and exit from the country.
Mohd Alwi stated that the cases are being investigated under Section 379 of the Penal Code (for theft), Section 380 of the same Act, and additionally under Section 6 and Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
On Saturday, three men and two women were arrested at Plaza Gurney during Ops Tourist, an operation to investigate thefts from foreign tourists who were allegedly deceived through trickery in the city centre. The suspects are believed to possess “sweet-talking skills to carry out the crime such as casting victims under a spell or a charm (pukau) before stealing their money”.
Police received three reports involving cash thefts from tourists in a hypnosis scam (pukau), occurring in the Pulau Tikus and Jalan Penang areas. The victims, aged between 29 and 52, were identified as Taiwanese, Dutch, and Syrian nationals, with incidents reported between 30 July and 1 August.
