JOHOR BARU (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - A financially troubled bank officer, who heard about the generosity of the Johor royal family, used his influence at the bank to secure the private mobile number of one of its members.

It is learnt that the officer, who was heavily in debt, explained his financial problems in the messages he sent to the royal family member.

However, it is not clear as to the amount he requested.

Within hours of the messages, Johor police managed to track down the suspect in his 20s and he was arrested at his workplace in Kuala Lumpur.

It is learnt that the officer, with the bank's call centre, has since been remanded to assist in investigations.

Johor police chief Comm Datuk Wan Ahmad Najmuddin Mohd confirmed in a statement that a report was lodged on May 19 at about 10.30am about a WhatsApp message to a member of the Johor royalty.

He added that police seized a mobile phone and two SIM cards, and that investigations were being carried out under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.

The case would also be referred to the Personal Data Protection Department for probing, he said.

Meanwhile, Johor police yesterday arrested a man in his 50s for claiming that he worked in the palace and duping a businessman into believing that he could help reduce his credit card bills totalling some RM80,000 (S$27,000).

It is learnt that the suspect had convinced the victim that he would be able to help clear his debts with a payment of RM37,000.

However, after the payment was made on May 15, the suspect started avoiding the victim, who then lodged a police report.

Comm Wan Ahmad said the suspect was arrested at Larkin Perdana at 1.30am.

Initial investigations showed that the suspect had served time for cheating people several years ago by claiming to be able to get them fancy registration numbers for their vehicles through his alleged ties with the Johor palace and Road Transport Department.