Fugitives, accused of defrauding millions from buyers, captured while attempting to check into budget accommodation in Malaysia
A couple accused of scamming millions of dollars from buyers of luxury goods has been apprehended in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, on August 11. The two were taken into custody after being confronted by plainclothes officers while checking into a budget hotel, BookMe Hotel, located near Aeon Mall Bukit Indah.
Footage from the hotel’s CCTV, obtained by Shin Min Daily News, shows the pair sitting outside the hotel entrance, surrounded by three individuals. The time on the footage reveals that the incident occurred around 11 pm on August 10. As they prepared to check in, the couple was approached and arrested by local police.
The hotel, a low-cost option, was offering rooms for RM69 (S$21.22) per night at the time of their arrest.
The couple, Pi Jiapeng, 26, originally from China, and his wife, Pansuk Siriwipa, 27, from Thailand, are accused of scamming over S$32 million from buyers of high-end bags and watches, only to fail to fulfil the orders. They were reportedly attempting to escape to Thailand before being located in Malaysia.
The Singapore Police Force (SPF) received a tip from the Royal Thai Police on Wednesday, alerting them to the couple’s potential location in Johor Bahru. Upon receiving this information, Singapore authorities contacted the Royal Malaysian Police, who subsequently arrested the pair. After being detained by Malaysian police on Thursday, the couple was returned to Singapore later that evening.
The two individuals are now facing multiple charges after 180 police reports were filed against their businesses, Tradenation and Tradeluxury, which have been under investigation since June. Arrest warrants and Interpol red notices had been issued in connection with their activities. Further updates on the case are expected.
