George town: Police are finalising investigation papers on the case of five Iranian nationals who were arrested for investigation into the alleged theft of money from foreign tourists around the George Town city centre last Saturday.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Acting Penang police chief Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin stated that all five individuals, aged between 19 and 35, have completed their police remand and are currently being held by the Immigration Department (JIM) until August 15. The authorities are exploring various angles in their investigation, including the possibility of the suspects’ involvement in similar cases in other regions, though no evidence has been found so far.

The investigation has revealed the suspects’ involvement in three reported cases in the George Town area. Police are in the process of completing investigation papers to be submitted to the Deputy Public Prosecutor’s Office for further action. Authorities are also awaiting confirmation from JIM regarding the authenticity of the passports of the five Iranians, which include a married couple, and their entry and exit records into the country.

Mohd Alwi noted that the case is being investigated under Section 379 and Section 380 of the Penal Code for theft, as well as Section 6 and Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952. Last Saturday, police apprehended the three men and two women at Plaza Gurney during an Ops Tourist operation. The suspects are believed to possess skills to deceive victims through trickery, such as casting them under a spell or charm (pukau), before stealing their money.

Three reports of cash theft involving tourists in a hypnosis scam (pukau) have been recorded. The incidents, which occurred in the Pulau Tikus and Jalan Penang areas, involved victims from Taiwan, the Netherlands, and Syria, aged between 29 and 52. The incidents took place from July 30 to August 1.