KUALA LUMPUR: A 33-year-old company director has been cheated of more than RM400,000 by three bogus Istana Negara officials with the promise of a "Datuk Seri" title and a plot of land.

       "The victim received a phone call on March 28, informing him that Istana Negara would be awarding him the title," Kuala Lumpur Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) chief Asst Comm Mohd Mahidisham Ishak said in a statement on Sunday (Aug 29).

       "He met the suspects once at a restaurant near Gate 2 of Istana Negara and handed over his personal and company details.

       "Subsequently, he made multiple payments to the suspects," he said, adding that the payments were made between April 6 and June 17 and amounted to RM406,400.

       The victim only realised that he had been cheated after discovering that the bank account used by the suspects was in the name of a company, which was not registered with the relevant authorities.

       "We are investigating the matter under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating," he said.

       ACP Mohd Mahidisham advised the public to use proper channels to obtain titles or awards.

       "Check the authenticity of bank accounts used in transactions," he said.

       He also urged those with information on any criminal activity to contact the KL police hotline at 03-21460584/0585 or the nearest police station.