A shocking incident rocked Taman Melawati when a restaurant owner was robbed by four African men while trying to buy gold bars. It happened on a Friday, leaving the victim and his friend terrified and the authorities rushing to solve the case.
The Setup: From business deal to nightmare
According to Ampang Jaya police chief Assistant Commissioner Mohd Azam Ismail, the 27-year-old victim, accompanied by his friend, initially met with a woman and a local man of status, referred to as a “Datuk,” to engage in the transaction.
The rendezvous took place at a coffee shop within Melawati Mall around 1 p.m. The purported purpose was to finalise the purchase of gold bars, a seemingly straightforward transaction that quickly turned into a nightmare.
As negotiations progressed and a deal was seemingly struck, the victim and his companion were ushered into a Proton Gen2 car under the pretext of being taken to acquire the gold bars, reported NST.
Taken to the mall & RM300k gone
However, instead of proceeding with the transaction, the unsuspecting duo found themselves taken on a bewildering circuit around the mall before being led to Jalan G1, where the car halted abruptly.
At this juncture, the situation escalated rapidly as four African men materialised, one of whom brandished a pistol while another unleashed pepper spray, disorienting the victims.
In a swift and calculated move, the assailants seized a bag containing a staggering RM300,000 in cash before fleeing the scene in another vehicle, leaving behind a traumatised victim and a sense of disbelief in their wake.
3 females arrested but where are the 4 foreign men and ‘Datuk?’
In the aftermath of the incident, law enforcement swiftly swung into action. Acting on the report filed by the victim, Ampang Jaya police managed to apprehend the woman who had facilitated the transaction six hours later in Taman Melawati.
Subsequent investigations led to the identification and arrest of two local women believed to be complicit in the crime. Additionally, authorities successfully recovered the Proton Gen2 utilised by the perpetrators during the robbery.
However, the search for justice continues as the four African men and the elusive “Datuk” remain at large, prompting a widespread manhunt.
Victim’s intention
Shedding light on the victim’s intentions, it was revealed that the restaurant owner sought to capitalise on the fluctuating gold prices, hoping to turn a quick profit from the investment.
As the investigation progresses, the three female suspects, aged 31, 54, and 58, have been remanded until further notice.
The case has been registered under Section 395/397 of the Penal Code, denoting armed gang robbery with an attempt to cause death or grievous injury. Conviction under this statute carries severe penalties, including imprisonment of up to 20 years and corporal punishment.
