KUALA LUMPUR: A 39-year-old ‘Datuk Seri’ was arrested in Melaka today for allegedly masterminding the Kongsi Makan investment scheme that involved losses amounting to RM3.75 million.
The man was arrested when the federal police’s Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) raided his house early today.
CCID director Datuk Seri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani said the suspect, a chairman of the company, has been remanded for three days to facilitate investigations.
Police seized an imported luxury car, a smartphone and documents.
Acryl said 70,000 to 80,000 people had allegedly been cheated by Kongsi Makan Bhd, a company that was established in 2015 and is still operating.
“This company claimed that they are helping small- and medium-scale enterprises to sell their products through its stockists.
“Investors have to pay RM1,700 for registration and are promised RM800 to RM1,200 in returns within three months, but the promised bonus has not been paid to the victims,” he said today.
The case is being investigated under Section 429 of the Penal Code for cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property, and the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLATFA).
Acryl also urged more victims to come forward. So far, the police have received 113 reports on the company.
“Keep in mind that cooperation between the police and the public is needed to combat such fraudulent activities from spreading.
“Always check with the relevant government agencies to verify the validity of an investment scheme that promises high returns in a short time,” he said.
SEREMBAN: She was promised a 60-fold profit if she agreed to invest in an investment scheme which is designed for the 14th general election (GE14).
Anas Salmee Mohamad, 49, from Senawang said, a man, who claimed himself as a Datuk Seri from Shah Alam had approached her after they became friends on social media platform, Facebook early this month.
"He told me that he was in charge of the scheme, which is to collect funds for GE14. According to him, the scheme offered high returns within 14 days after we join the investment,” she said.
Curious, she met the man at a restaurant here on Aug 3, before transferring a total of RM3,200 to the man’s bank account, to invest in the scheme.
“I was supposed to give him RM5,000 but I didn’t have enough and he offered to top up the amount to enable me to join the scheme.
By then, I was convinced that the scheme could be fruitful since the money invested would be used for the upcoming election,” she said.
“The man said, I would receive my money back together with a RM300,000 profit from the scheme after two weeks. I believed his words,” she said.
Anas Salmee added, she tried to contact the man after the 14 days deadline, but sensed something was not right when the man started to avoid her by giving various excuses.
“I was so disappointed and lodged a police report at Jalan Campbell police station on Aug 28. The man appeared a day after the report was made and returned all my money.
However, I believe that the man had planned to deceive the public and I hope a thorough investigation will be made to ensure that no other people will fall victim to his scheme,” she said.
When contacted, Seremban district police chief Assistant Commissioner Thiew Hock Poh confirmed that a police report had been lodged by the victim.
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