To compound that, the life of a reporter with The Sun who helped net suspects who conned people of their savings in an organs-for-sale racket, could also be in danger, as the men were allowed to walk free by the deputy public prosecutor, who decided there was “no case.”

According to a report in the daily today, one of their writers went on the sting operation several months ago, after she discovered a Facebook page purportedly run by the syndicate, dedicated to the sale of human organs for transplant.

Back in April this year, The Sun had also carried a story about people desperate for cash, willing to sell their vital organs through Facebook.

With a newly created Facebook page and e-mail address, as well as a freshly registered mobile number, the writer contacted the syndicate which claimed it could arrange organ transplants for a price.

The reporter then worked with undercover police officers to “negotiate” with the syndicate members, on the pretext of getting a kidney for a cousin.

The parties involved were a middleman named Hadi and the kidney donor – a woman named Sya Liza, who claimed she was involved in the syndicate as she was financially strapped.

Hadi initially quoted the price at RM150,000, but subsequently brought it down to RM70,000 after the reporter claimed her family was not wealthy. He also explained that documents would be prepared to show that the donor and receiver were relatives in order not to raise any suspicion, and said the issue of blood group mismatch would not arise as he had 20 to 30 more “willing” donors.

Of the amount, Hadi demanded RM10,000 as deposit, to be banked into a given bank account, but the reporter insisted on a meeting to finalise the deal instead. Unbeknownst to him, an undercover police officer was present with the writer at the meeting.

When the meeting took place, the deposit was put on the table, but Sya Liza was a no-show, as according to Hadi, she had already donated her kidney to another patient. He took the money anyway and assured the reporter and an undercover police officer who posed as her sick cousin, that he would supply another donor in due time.

At that point, policemen who were monitoring the meeting, moved in and arrested Hadi and an accomplice. The duo were remanded for 10 days.

According to the report, investigations revealed that Hadi and his accomplices were involved in a racket to con people in desperate need of organ transplants.

However, the duo were recently released after investigation papers were referred to the deputy public prosecutor as the DPP decided there was no case and instructed the investigating officer to close the case.

“Has our reporter risked her life and limb in vain?

“It certainly makes one wonder how often the hard work put in by capable police officers who often stake their lives going undercover, end in the same way. Is this why crimes like cheating continue to be on the increase?” asked the report.