KUALA LUMPUR: Three female robbers allegedly masquerading as aid workers targeting vulnerable senior citizens have been arrested.

       Sentul OCPD Asst Comm Beh Eng Lai, in a statement on Tuesday (Aug 17), said that three arrests were made following an incident on Aug 9 at PPR Intan Baiduri.

       "An 82-year-old woman lost around RM8,000 after two women, masquerading as members of a welfare NGO, had come to her home on the pretense of giving aid.

       “However, one of the suspects slipped inside the victim's bedroom and stole valuables," he said, adding that the group targeted senior citizens staying alone.

       Investigations on the case led to the arrest of two women on Aug 14. A third was arrested on Aug 17.

       "Also seized were 17 food packages, four phones and clothes worn during the incident.

       "The main suspect, aged 43, and another woman had a criminal record, including for burglary," he said, adding that the group has been dubbed "Gang Merry".

       The group's leader and the other two suspects, aged 23, have been remanded.

       "At least three robbery cases within the Jinjang area have been solved with these arrests," he said.

       The gang has been active since 2017, ACP Beh said.