Petition found in box that stopped Abe murder hearing: Japanese media

A suspicious package caused the cancellation of a court hearing for the man accused of murdering former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe. The package, which triggered a security alert, was later found to contain a petition seeking a lenient sentence for the accused. The suspect allegedly targeted Abe due to his ties to the Unification Church.

Can you trust your ears? AI voice scams rattle US

AI voice cloning tools are being used by fraudsters in a new type of scam, posing as family members and demanding ransom. The technology is becoming indistinguishable from human speech, enabling cybercriminals to exploit victims more effectively. The rise of AI voice cloning raises concerns about the blurring of reality and fiction and the need for new technologies to verify identities.

Peeping Tom caught in the act: Male suspect disguised as female apprehended in Hsinchu’s Taroko Square

In Hsinchu’s Taroko Square, Taiwan, a male suspect disguised as a woman was caught attempting to invade the privacy of women in a video voyeurism act. The incident occurred in the women’s restroom when two female victims noticed a suspicious individual closely following them. One of the victims discovered a cellphone positioned above her, prompting her to seek help. Mall security and the victim’s husband intercepted the suspect, who tried to flee and destroy evidence. The police arrived swiftly, charged the suspect with violating privacy, and conducted further inspections to prevent similar incidents.

Altercation on East Coast Road: female cyclist and driver arrested for reckless acts

An altercation between a female driver and a cyclist on East Coast Road, captured on video, has led to their arrests for alleged reckless behavior. Both face charges of committing a rash act; Tan is additionally accused of causing obstruction.

INTERPOL issues orange notice on alarming global human trafficking trend

INTERPOL has issued an Orange Notice alerting its 195 member countries of a rapidly escalating crime trend involving large-scale human trafficking tied to fraudulent online job ads. Victims, deceived by fake job promises, are coerced into committing cyber-enabled financial crimes, marking a disturbing fusion of human exploitation and cyber fraud. Initial traces of this activity were identified in Southeast Asia, with Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar acting as primary trafficking hubs. However, the criminal model has since taken root and expanded into Western Africa, an area already grappling with cyber-enabled financial crime. “Trafficking hubs have now been discovered in at least four additional Asian countries,” reported Jürgen Stock, INTERPOL Secretary General. “This ominous trend, once a regional threat, has evolved into a global human trafficking crisis.” The demographic profile of the victims has expanded as dramatically as the geographical reach of the crime.

Malaysian driver shares “fast and furious” escape from fake police car chase; 2 suspects arrested by Johor police

Two suspects impersonating police officers were apprehended after a high-speed chase along the North-South Highway near Kulai, Johor. The suspects, aged 43 and 48, one a civil servant with a criminal record, allegedly trailed a civilian car, prompting its occupants to alert the real police. The Johor police chief confirmed the arrest and seizure of incriminating items. The suspects face serious charges under the Penal Code and the Customs Act 1967.

Shocking case of child sexual abuse unveiled in Parigi Moutong, Central Sulawesi

A 15-year-old girl in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, fell victim to a series of sexual abuses by 11 men, including authority figures. The suspects enticed the victim with money, clothes, and phones. Incidents occurred from April 2022 to January 2023, and suspects were from varied backgrounds. The victim’s health has critically deteriorated, with her psychological trauma further aggravated by her physical condition. Indonesian Police is continuing its investigations as calls for justice mount. The victim’s father rejected offers for reconciliation and compensation from the perpetrators’ families.

Spike in boats smuggling meth out of Myanmar: UN

Asian drug trafficking networks are using sea routes to smuggle methamphetamines from Myanmar, avoiding tighter land patrols. Ketamine production is also on the rise. The region’s most powerful trafficking networks operate with certainty they won’t be stopped. Authorities seized a record amount of ketamine in 2022. Organized crime groups are pushing meth and ketamine together to increase demand.

Routine surveillance review unearths multi-year theft from long-time cashier in Singapore minimart

A routine surveillance review at Angel Supermart in Singapore unveiled a long-term theft operation by a long-serving employee. Over six years, she allegedly stole between S$100,000 to S$150,000. This revelation came about during an investigation into another part-time employee’s theft of S$80, prompting an ongoing police investigation.

14 arrested in Johor Bahru brawl: Altercation allegedly triggered by student’s eraser throw

Recently, footage of a brawl involving a group of individuals in Malaysia circulated on social media. A 28-second video went viral on Facebook and WhatsApp, showing a male using a helmet to hit another individual, while others kicked the victim’s face. The victim curled on the ground while being kicked, and some shouted derogatory remarks like, “Stupid Chinese! You die! Dare to hit Malay!”