Four former lawyers provided their statements to the police today in connection to fraud and criminal breach of trust involving losses of tens of millions of ringgit.

Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department director Mohd Zakaria Ahmad (photo) said the four were released after their statements were recorded.

They were among 21 former lawyers wanted by the police to assist with investigations into 39 cases dating up to seven years ago.

“Efforts to locate the others are still ongoing, and based on our intelligence, five of the former lawyers are found to be overseas.

"We will use the appropriate channels to obtain information, in addition to working with the Immigration Department and other agencies to assist with the investigations," he told a press conference after attending a monthly assembly at Bukit Aman, Kuala Lumpur.

On Oct 3, the police released a statement saying the Commercial Crime Investigation Department was pursuing 21 former lawyers to assist in the investigation of 39 cases of fraud and criminal breach of trust committed over the past seven years.

In another development, Mohd Zakaria said a total of 34 individuals were arrested on suspicion of their involvement in illegal money lending activities, with 33 of them already charged in court.

"They are among 117 individuals being tracked down by the Bukit Aman police over their alleged involvement in the illegal activity. Their names were released in a press conference last week," he added.

- Bernama