KUALA LUMPUR: The investigation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) into a syndicate selling fake federal awards has found eight victims so far.
MACC Investigation Division senior director Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Hashim told New Straits Times that they are in the midst of tracing the victims to move forward with the investigations.
"So far we have identified eight victims who were supposedly given the titles of Tan Sri and Datuk Seri. We are in the midst of locating them.
"All the detainees have been released after their remand expired with the last one released earlier today," he said when contacted.
It was reported that a syndicate was selling fake awards bearing the title "Tan Sri" up to RM2 million.
The mastermind of the syndicate, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) president, was detained in Melaka after four men and two women were arrested in two separate occasions since Nov 30.
This syndicate is believed to have been operating since 2020 and has deceived several victims, resulting in losses amounting to hundreds of thousands of ringgit.
The payment amounts vary according to the level of honours, such as RM150,000 for the title 'Datuk' and RM250,000 for 'Datuk Seri', while the title 'Tan Sri' is valued at around RM2 million.
The case is being investigated under Section 16(a)(A) of the MACC Act 2009.