Police Track Suspect In Counterfeit Money Jewellery Purchase Attempt

KUALA TERENGGANU, Dec 19 (Bernama) -- Police are tracking a male suspect who attempted to purchase jewellery using counterfeit money at a gold shop in Chabang Tiga here yesterday.

Kuala Terengganu police chief ACP Azli Mohd Noor said initial investigations revealed the man, believed to be in his 30s, arrived alone at the shop around 3.10 pm. He was wearing a white prayer cap, sunglasses, and a pink face mask.

Azli said the suspect asked a sales assistant to show him several gold bracelets and took photos of the items, purportedly to show his wife.

"After exiting and re-entering the shop twice, the suspect finally proceeded to purchase jewellery worth RM30,000.

"The 36-year-old sales assistant asked the suspect to hand over the money for counting. The suspect then handed over money bundled inside a yellow plastic bag," he said in a statement today.

Azli added that the sales assistant grew suspicious upon noticing the edges of the notes were white and tried to inspect them further, leading to a struggle.

Realising his scheme was exposed, the man fled the scene in a dark blue Perodua Axia parked in front of the shop.

"A check revealed the vehicle's registration number was fake. Police are obtaining CCTV footage from the premises and nearby shops for further investigation," he said.

He said no losses were recorded, as the suspect did not manage to take any jewellery. The case is being investigated under Section 489B of the Penal Code for the use of counterfeit money.

-- BERNAMA