KUALA LUMPUR: Targeting influencers flaunting luxury items and valuables while live streaming on the social media platform TikTok.
That was the tactic used by a group of criminals suspected of involvement in a house break-in targeting a female influencer, resulting in losses of RM3.5 million in Padang Balang, Sentul, on March 4.
It is understood that the group consists of four suspects; one man and three women aged between 22 and 36, who closely monitor the activities of influencers on social media.
One of the suspects, tasked with observing the victims' activities, would notify the other members of the group when the victim was not at home, prompting the male suspect to break into the targeted house.
The activities of the group were uncovered after a police team from the Gombak district police headquarters successfully apprehended all four suspects on March 6.
Gombak district police chief, Assistant Commissioner Noor Ariffin Mohamad Nasir, said that initially, police received a report of a house break-in involving an influencer earlier this month.
"Following an investigation, the team managed to track down the suspects and arrest them in the Johor Bahru area while attempting to sell gold bars. The police also seized various valuable items, including branded handbags believed to have been taken from the victim's house," he said when contacted by Harian Metro.
He added that the investigation found that the same suspects were also involved in a house break-in targeting a business owner in Padang Balang here, related to the Wangsa Maju case.
He said all suspects were remanded for seven days until March 12 to assist in further investigations under Section 457 of the Penal Code.
Additionally, he added that the suspects would be handed over to the Wangsa Maju district police once their remand ends for investigation in the relevant area.
Yesterday, it was reported that a businesswoman lost about RM3.5 million in cash and valuables in a burglary at her home in Padang Balang,