PUTRAJAYA:The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Agency (MACC) busted a group of individuals running a scam of masquerading as a senior MACC officer and deputy public prosecutor to solicit bribes, with the help of a victim involved in the case.

MACC chief commissioner Datuk Seri Azam Baki said four suspects who solicited bribes from an individual under investigation by the commission, were arrested yesterday, including the mastermind, 'Datuk Roy', who claimed to be the MACC director.

Azam advised the public to be careful with tactics used by fraudsters, such as claiming to know senior MACC officers well, besides showing some pictures of them with the senior officials.

He said they also showed victims certain cards allegedly belonging to a senior MACC officer and deputy public prosecutor at the MACC, as well as pictures of being involved in MACC programmes.

"The tactic is used to convince the victims involved and at the same time aim to get bribes," he said in a statement today.

Today, four individuals between the ages of 39 and 54 suspected of being involved in a scam of masquerading as a senior MACC officer and deputy public prosecutor to RM60,0000 in bribes to ‘settle’ an investigation into an individual, were remanded for six days until Dec 22

The mastermind and two others were arrested in an operation yesterday at a hotel in Putrajaya, while another was detained at his home in Melaka.

Meanwhile, Azam urged the public to refer to the MACC for confirmation if they were contacted by any parties who introduced themselves as an MACC officer or deputy public prosecutor.

"The MACC will not compromise and will take appropriate action if this case also involves any officers (from the commission)," he said.

-- BERNAMA