Police seize cloned cars worth RM3m, arrest 33 suspects

KUALA LUMPUR: Police succeeded in arresting 33 suspects and confiscating 33 cloned cars worth RM3 million in an almost two year operation which began in mid 2015.
The cloned cars seized comprised of, among others, Honda Odyssey, BMW and Mini Cooper.
Dang Wangi district police chief ACP Sukri Kaman is of the belief that the cloned cars came from neighbouring countries and were sold to unsuspecting victims in Malaysia by cloning syndicates.
In a press conference held at the Dang Wangi police headquarters here today, he said the unsuspecting buyers were also detained and charged.
"Our investigations revealed that some of the buyers knew they were buying cloned cars.
"Whether or not they were gullible, they were still detained and charged, ignorance is no plea," he added.
Sukri said the buyers found out about the cars via an online promotion besides being recommended by friends.
"They were sold for between RM30,000 and RM50,000. The cars were brought into Malaysia before their road tax expired in their respective countries. Here, the syndicate forged the road tax before selling them to locals," he added.
He said the masterminds behind the cloning syndicates were still at large.
Sukri advised potential car buyers to be wary of these syndicates, especially when the price offered is too good to be true.
He urged buyers to check with the respective agencies concerned before buying imported cars from a third party.