KUALA LUMPUR: The syndicate behind an “ayam kampung” investment scam, which duped victims of more than RM3.2mil, has been busted with the arrest of 11 people in a series of raids.
Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) director Comm Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf said the suspects – eight men and three women aged between 38 and 56 – were detained during raids in Perak, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Melaka, Terengganu and Labuan on June 26.
“The investment was run by a non-governmental organisation.
“Those detained were the founder, director, secretary, clerk, agents as well as volunteers of the organisation,” he told a press conference here yesterday.
Comm Ramli said the syndicate, which has been operating since early last year, would offer schemes to invest in an ayam kampung or free range chicken business.
“The minimum investment was RM250 with returns of RM13 a month, or investors could also exchange the returns for a chicken.
“However, investors started not seeing returns since September last year.
“A total of 85 police reports were made nationwide, involving RM3.29mil in losses,” he added.
Various items were seized in the raids including 13 luxury vehicles, 15 gold necklaces, 20 mobile phones, 17 laptops, 71 documents and 17 banners, said Comm Ramli.
“A total of 34 bank accounts and unit trusts with RM6.5mil in funds were also frozen and 2,143 goats seized.
“The vehicles seized were worth RM2.9mil,” he said.
Comm Ramli said the operation was made with the collaboration of the National Anti-Financial Crime Centre (NFCC) and other agencies, including the Inland Revenue Board, Bank Negara and CyberSecurity Malaysia.
“We will continue to conduct such operations to curb such scams.
“We hope the public can be more vigilant and not be duped by such investment offers. If it’s too good to be true, it is most probably a scam,” he added.
In another case, 15 Indian nationals were detained in connection with a tourism package scam.
Comm Ramli said the 12 men and three women were detained after a raid at an office here on July 1.
“We seized various items, including 17 mobile phones, four tourism package brochures, 15 name cards and a laptop from the premises,” he said.
Initial investigations revealed that the syndicate has been ope- rating since early this year, he said.
“They promoted tourism packages targeting foreigners.
“Those interested would have to find out more at the syndicate’s office.
“The syndicate offered three packages – RM50,000 for 50 days, RM25,000 for 40 days and RM14,000 for 14 days – to any country in the world.
“Checks revealed the company did not have any licence to operate,” he said.
Separately, 65 people were detained in connection with a foreign exchange (forex) investment scam following a raid at an office in Jalan Hang Tuah here.
Comm Ramli said those arrested on July 2 were 25 local men, 26 local women, three Vietnamese, a Bangladeshi woman, a man from Hong Kong, three men and four women from China, a man from India as well as a Thai woman – all aged between 20 and 50.
“The syndicate was involved in a forex scam, offering two types of accounts – standard and premium.
“Those interested could access a website to register, open accounts and manage their investment transactions.
“We are also checking with the relevant agency on the legitimacy of the company handling the investment platform,” he said.
Various items were seized, including five desktop computers, 25 laptops, three CPUs, four monitors and two Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) licences, he said.
“We are investigating further under Section 420 of the Penal Code,” he added.
