Man who posed as police officer arrested

A man who posed as a police officer to cheat and extort money from members of the public has been arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department, said Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar.

He said the modus operandi of the suspect who went by several names such as Tuan Faizal, Inspector Faizal, Inspector Azmi, Inspector Saiful, Inspector Rahim or Inspector Samsudin was to make calls to the next-of-kin of individuals who had been arrested by the police.

"The suspect will then negotiate after deceiving the relatives that he had the means to free the detained individuals, on condition a sum of money is paid into a bank account given by him.

"After interrogation, the suspect confessed to 49 fraud cases involving losses of RM373,750. However, the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) believe there are many others who have been conned by the suspect," he said in a statement.

He said the police viewed this as a serious crime as it tarnished the police's image and feared public trust and confidence in the police would be affected.

"We urge victims or those who the suspect had contacted to come forward to make a report at any police station to facilitate investigations," he added.