Bukit Aman commercial crime investigation department director Ramli Yoosuf said it received four reports in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, in early June concerning the losses totalling RM24.2 million.

He said the complainants, who comprised account holders and bank staff, reported that multiple suspicious cash withdrawals were made in Kota Kinabalu involving several savings accounts with the bank.

“The owners of the accounts involved denied having any knowledge of the matter and said they had not gone to Kota Kinabalu to make any withdrawals.

“On June 13, the 38-year-old suspect was arrested in Kota Kinabalu. Investigations have so far revealed that there is a syndicate involved with some of its members working with the bank. This is because the withdrawals can only be done internally,” he said in a statement.

Ramli said police seized three handphones and SIM cards, eight ATM cards involving various banks, RM4,400 in cash and a laptop.

Further investigations for cheating are being carried out under Section 420 of the Penal Code, which carries a jail term of up to 10 years, with whipping and a fine, upon conviction.

“Investigators are also working on tracking down and arresting several other individuals who have been identified,” he said.