KUALA LUMPUR: A Customs Department informant is making big money by being a snitch, reported Harian Metro.
“I once received a RM78,000 reward for an assignment on an alcohol and cigarette smuggling case,” he was quoted as saying.
That, he had said, was the largest reward he had ever received in his 19 years snitching for the department.
“Throughout the years, I have made millions of ringgit from this line of work,” claimed the man who wanted to be known only as Sani.
Sani, who is in his 40s, was among hundreds of informants who lived a lavish lifestyle from rewards earned for providing information, especially on alcohol, cigarettes and luxury car smuggling.
He said that he worked with a team of five, spying and providing classified intelligence to the Customs Department.
“I did not plan on becoming an informant. It started with me providing information on a smuggling syndicate back in 1999.
“I am against crime.
“I immediately reported a smuggling activity to the Customs and they foiled the syndicate successfully based on the information I gave. I was rewarded with RM8,000 for my contribution,” he said.
That was the turning point for Sani and as he went along, he recruited four more “watchdogs” to help him in his work.
“We split the rewards equally if the information shared contributes to a successful operation or raid.”
Sani acknowledged the risks that he and his family were exposed to.
“I know it is dangerous, but money is not the only motivation.
“We are proud that we are contributing to the crime-fighting effort,” he said, adding that his identity was never exposed by the department.
