JOHOR BARU, Jan 2 – The Johor police will be actively 16 alleged fraud cases related to the state’s affordable home scheme or Rumah Mampu Milik Johor (RMMJ) that were reported from May to October last year, involving about RM122,000 in losses.

Johor police chief Datuk Kamarul Zaman Mamat said police received a total of 19 fraud cases during the five-month period last year, with three cases brought to court in December that involved the prosecution of a 55-year-old male suspect.

However, he said the suspect had claimed trial by pleading not guilty and the case will be heard again on January 15 this year.

"Previously, the victims of the alleged scam realised they had been cheated only after they did not receive any response regarding their home applications.

"The victims also found that their names were not listed or registered after checks with the state’s housing management and local government.

"Following that, an investigation was carried out in October last year where police identified the man who carried out the alleged RMMJ housing scam and managed to charge him in court last month,” said Kamarul Zaman in a statement today.

He was responding to Johor State Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor’s revelation of several recent fraud cases involving the state’s affordable homes.

On Sunday, Mohd Jafni said that the alleged fraud cases involved four victims who lodged complaints with the Johor Housing Development Corporation office.

Following that, Mohd Jafni requested the state’s top cop to conduct an immediate investigation due to the recent complaints received by his office last month.

Kamarul Zaman said investigations revealed that the suspect had used an agent to make deals and offer the RMMJ homes to unsuspecting victims.

"According to the victims, the offer was made by an agent they knew who claimed to be able to secure RMMJ homes through the ‘rent-to-own’ concept from another individual with a ‘Datuk’ title.

"The concept offers monthly repayments as low as RM1,000 per month and was only for houses priced above RM500,000,” he said.

Kamarul Zaman explained that victims interested in the offer would be asked to make a deposit of between RM3,000 and RM10,000 a house ostensibly for the application and approval process.

He also cautioned the public and advised them to be careful when making any type of purchase, especially those offering ‘too good to be true’ deals.

"The public is also urged to check and obtain confirmation from the relevant agencies regarding the offer made, before committing to it and making payment.