KUALA LUMPUR: A restaurant owner was robbed of RM300,000 by four African men while trying to buy gold bars in Taman Melawati on Friday.
Ampang Jaya police chief Assistant Commissioner Mohd Azam Ismail said the 27-year-old victim and his friend had first met with a woman and a local man who is a "Datuk" to buy the gold at a coffeeshop in Melawati Mall about 1pm.
He said when a deal was struck, the two friends were asked to get into a Proton Gen2 car for them to be taken to the gold bars.
"The victim and his friend were taken around the mall three times before being taken to Jalan G1, where the car was stopped by the side of the road.
"At this location, four African men appeared and one of them pointed a pistol at the two friends before blowing pepper at their faces.
"The men then grabbed a bag containing (RM300,000 in) cash and fleeing in another car," he said in a statement.
Azam said Ampang Jaya police, acting on a report lodged by the victim, managed to detain the woman who had been dealing with the victim and his friend, in Taman Melawati six hours later.
"The following day, after questioning the woman, police raided a unit in Arte Plus (condominium) in Jalan Ampang and detained two local women who were also believed to be involved in the case.
"We also seized the Proton Gen2 which was used by the suspect," he said.
Azam said police have now launched a manhunt for the four African men and the "Datuk".
He said the victim had said this was the first time he had dealt with the suspect, adding that the restaurant owner had wanted to buy the bars so he could make a quick profit when gold prices rise.
"The three female suspects, aged 31, 54 and 58 have been remanded till Saturday," he said.
The case is being investigated under Section 395/397 of the Penal Code for armed gang robbery with attempt to cause death or grievous injury, which carries a sentence of up to 20 years' imprisonment and whipping upon conviction.