Saturday November 6, 2010
All-woman con team nabbed
By DESIREE TRESA GASPER
[email protected]
PONTIAN: The police have crippled an all-woman team of con artists who had targeted housewives since July to buy their health products and then steal their money and valuables. The four women, aged 29 to 47, have been linked to at least 10 cases, all using the same modus operandi. “They would talk about their so-called miracle products and persuade the gullible housewives to buy the items.
“Sometimes, the gang would coax their victims into removing jewellery or other items that they claimed could be detrimental to their health,” Pontian OCPD Supt Zahaliman Jamin said. The jewellery would then be kept by the group. In some cases, while her accomplices talked about the products, one of the women would excuse herself to go to the toilet and used the opportunity to steal items from the house.
“The women were so convincing that one victim even went to the extent of withdrawing money from her savings account to buy the so-called miracle health items,” said Supt Zahaliman, adding that the products offered included therapy devices and health supplements. He said the group usually targeted housewives at home alone. The group members were caught minutes after they conned their latest victim at Kampung Kayu Ara Pesong here.
“The victim quickly alerted the police, leading to the arrests of the con women,” said Supt Zahaliman, adding that the suspects were all from Benut, near here. The police also seized a car, health products, 10 mobile phones, jewellery and money from the suspects. Those with information or those who have been victimised are urged to contact the Johor police at 07-2212 999.
