12/07/2025

SATURDAY | JULY 12, 2025

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Police looking into case of missing UK teen KUALA LUMPUR: Police are

filing the report to prompt police to exercise lawful authority and open an investigation. The offence took place at 12.45pm on June 28, also at the Timur Laut IPD. Jeon was charged under Section 182 of the Penal Code, which carries a penalty of up to six months’ imprisonment or a fine of up to RM2,000, or both, upon conviction. – Bernama Malaysian among dead in Bali tragedy JAKARTA: A Malaysian has been confirmed among the three bodies recovered during a search and rescue (SAR) operation following the ferry capsize tragedy in the Bali Strait on July 2. Indonesia National Search and Rescue Agency deputy of operations and preparedness Eko Suyatno said Fauzey Awang, 55, was found in the waters off Perancak Beach. The body, along with two other deceased who were Indonesian nationals, was taken to Blambangan Hospital in Banyuwangi, East Java for identification by the Disaster Victim Identification Unit of the Indonesian Police. “The SAR operation is ongoing to locate those who remain missing,” Eko said in a statement, adding that out of the 65 individuals aboard the ferry KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya , 45 have been accounted for so far, 30 survivors and 15 dead. Earlier reports stated Fauzey was inside a tourist van that was also aboard the ferry during the incident. He was en route back to Malaysia via the I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport after travelling from Ketapang Port in Banyuwangi in the van. The Malaysian Embassy in Jakarta confirmed that it has been in touch with the deceased’s family in Malaysia to provide updates and would offer consular assistance. It also said the family has informed the embassy of its plans to travel to Banyuwangi on Friday. – Bernama Cops probe assault claim by singer KUALA LUMPUR: Police have opened an investigation paper following a report lodged by singer Nurshahila Amir Amzah, better known as Shila Amzah, who claimed she was assaulted by a popular singer on Thursday. Kuala Lumpur deputy police chief Datuk Mohamed Usuf Jan Mohamad said statements from two individuals have been recorded to assist in the investigation. He said Shila lodged the report at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters. “The individual alleged to have assaulted Shila has not been summoned, but efforts are under way to obtain a statement from the person involved. “The case is being investigated under Section 506 of the Penal Code.” He added that initial investigations found that the incident did not involve any physical contact or injury. – Bernama

“Members of the public with information are urged to channel it to the police by contacting KLIA district police headquarters investigating officer Insp Hazuin Jan Abdul Hamid at 017-7369187.” – Bernama

could assist in efforts to locate and resolve this case.” Fadil added that the case has been classified as a missing person case and the teenager’s photo has been shared to facilitate public assistance in providing information.

teenager, identified as David Renz Galletes Balisong, entered Malaysia through the KL International Airport and is believed to be still in the country. “Further investigations are under way to identify all information that

investigating the disappearance of a teenager from the United Kingdom who arrived in Malaysia on June 7. Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department acting director Datuk Fadil Marsus said the

Online scams on the rise Peter said many scams today are carried out using mobile apps that allow syndicates to ‘hide in plain sight’. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN

o 262 cases in Sentul mark sharp increase from 206 last year

keep the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) hotline 997 on standby to report suspicious transactions. The NSRC is a joint effort involving the National Anti Financial Crime Centre, Royal Malaysia Police, Bank Negara Malaysia, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, financial institutions and telcos. “Scammers are skilled at inducing panic. When people get a fake call, they often react before thinking. Many obey instructions without questioning them and end up handing over personal information. “If you realise you have been scammed, call 997. The NSRC can freeze transactions before money is lost. But timing is crucial – delay, and it may be too late.” The NSRC operates from 8am to 8pm daily, including public holidays.

nationals. They were based here, but their victims were abroad.” Peter added many fraudsters come from lower-income countries, but live luxurious lifestyles in Malaysia funded by online crimes. “Street crimes such as snatch theft and pickpocketing have declined in places such as Bukit Bintang. Even pukau (hypnotic theft) is now rare. “Today, the real danger is digital. Scammers could operate from the comfort of a rented home and no one would even know, especially in neighbourhoods where people no longer know each other.” On “love scams”, which target older victims and widows, Peter said scammers are adept at using emotional manipulation to steal money and assets. “They build trust over time, especially with victims who are lonely or isolated. Once trust is gained, they strike.” Peter also reminded the public to

Division head Asst Supt Peter Lucy Peter said this marked an increase from the 206 cases reported during the same period last year. Peter also said scammers are exploiting weaknesses in digital regulations. “Many scams today are carried out using mobile apps that allow syndicates to remain hidden in plain sight. In countries such as China, apps such as WhatsApp are banned unless they meet strict regulatory standards. France also restricts platforms with known loopholes. “But in Malaysia, such controls are minimal. That is why scam operations could take root within our borders,” she told theSun . She said syndicates operating from cities often target victims overseas, taking advantage of lax digital oversight. “In a recent case, we dismantled a scam operation in Kepong involving Uzbek and Chinese

Ű BY IKHWAN ZULKAFLEE newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: Online scams continue to surge across Malaysia, with cases reflecting a national trend, even in urban centres such as Sentul, which has a population of 1.3 million. From Jan 1 to June 30 this year, 262 scam cases were recorded in the district. These included telecommunication fraud via SMS or online, e-financial scams, love scams and online purchase fraud. Sentul district police Crime Prevention and Community Safety Department Operations and Support Resources Coordination

South Korean man jailed three months for overstaying GEORGE TOWN: A South Korean man was sentenced to three months in jail by the Magistrate’s Court yesterday after pleading guilty to overstaying his permitted time in Malaysia. Jeon, a construction worker in South Korea, remained in Malaysia without valid reason after his 90-day social visit pass expired on Feb 10. 1959/63 and is punishable under Section 15(4) of the same Act, which provides for a fine of not less than RM10,000 or imprisonment of up to five years, or both, upon conviction. pleading guilty. Deputy Public Prosecutor Ahmad Danial Amir Saari, however, urged the court to impose a sentence proportionate to the offence.

He was accused of committing the offence at the Criminal Investigation Division office of the Timur Laut district police headquarters (IPD) at 12.30pm on June 30. Jeon was charged under Section 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act

In a separate charge heard in the same courtroom, Jeon was fined RM2,000 or six months’ jail in default, after pleading guilty to lodging a false police report. He was accused of intentionally

Jeon Eunjin, 55, entered the plea after the charge was read in English before Magistrate Nadratun Naim Mohd Saidi. The sentence is effective from his arrest on June 30. According to the charge sheet,

National Legal Aid Foundation lawyer Nur Adilla Zaharuddin appealed for a minimal fine, citing Jeon is married with two children and had saved court time and cost by