NILAI, Oct 2 - Police have crippled seven syndicates involving 47 individuals linked to cable and equipment theft, as well as break-ins at telecommunication premises in the district, with total losses of about RM4.5 million, from January to September 30.
Nilai district police chief Supt Johari Yahya said the arrests involved individuals aged 17 to 58 from groups such as Geng Roy TM, Geng Krol Copperstrip, Geng Subcon Amazon, Geng Leong Kabel, Geng Usop Klang, and Geng Intheren Kabel IPG, with all suspects detained in the Nilai and Klang Valley areas.
The identified modus operandi involved breaking into telecommunication tower sites to steal copper cables, cable drums, and telecommunication components, as well as impersonating telecommunication company personnel to deceive the authorities.
“Among the targeted items were telecommunications company cables, copper cables, telecommunication card slots, remote radio units (RRUs), and lightning conductors.
"Such activities not only caused financial losses to telecommunications companies but also compromised network infrastructure and resulted in service disruptions for consumers," he said during a media conference at the Nilai district police headquarters today.
Johari added that they also seized cable rolls, copper lightning conductor strips, cutting tools such as sickles, pliers, and shears, as well as bags, sacks, and several cars and motorcycles suspected of being used in these activities.
The cases are being investigated under Sections 379, 457, 511, and 448 of the Penal Code, as well as Subsection 235(1) or 235(2) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
He noted that reported cable theft cases had risen from 50 last year to 72 this year for the same period.
Meanwhile, in a separate development, Johari said five women, including three foreign nationals aged between 28 and 32, were arrested at a budget hotel here on suspicion of being involved in online prostitution activities during 'Op E-Noda,' conducted last month.
Investigations revealed that the suspects used online applications such as WeChat and MiChat to locate and communicate with clients to offer paid sexual services.
“During the enforcement operation, police also seized condoms, mobile phones, lubricant, and cash amounting to RM1,188 believed to be linked to the activities in question," he said, adding that the authorities have been tracking these activities for the past three months.
The case is being investigated under Section 372(1)(e) of the Penal Code and Section 233(1) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, read together with Section 233(2) of the same Act.
