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The Star
08-05-2025
- The Star
Cops visit office, home of ‘Tan Sri' linked to MBI
GEORGE TOWN: Police visited the office and house of a 53-year-old businessman with a 'Tan Sri' title who was arrested to facilitate investigation into the Mobility Beyond Imagination (MBI) investment scam. The team from Bukit Aman spent about two hours in the businessman's office in Bayan Baru where he was seen clad in an orange detention outfit, before heading to his residence in Gelugor. It is not known if any materials or assets were seized during the visits to the two locations. Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department acting director Datuk Muhammed Hasbullah Ali confirmed that the suspect was taken to both his office and home on Friday to facilitate in on-going investigations. He said a press conference would be held later to provide updates on the progress of the Ops Northern Star investigation. The 'Tan Sri' was arrested upon his return from overseas at about 2am on Thursday. This brings the total of those detained to 14. The arrests of 13 suspects earlier – who included two 'Tan Sri' businessmen and a 'Datuk Seri' – were made between March 21 and April 21, with RM3.5bil in assets seized, including a hotel and durian plantations linked to the MBI investment scam. Among the durian plantations seized were plantations in Pahang, Penang and Kedah worth RM223,624,167.75. An additional 299 bank accounts with RM123,614,594.35 had also been frozen. These assets were believed to have been purchased or had links to the proceeds from the scheme's illegal gains.
The Star
01-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Third Tan Sri nabbed in MBI probe, say cops
KUALA LUMPUR: Another Tan Sri has been nabbed over his alleged involvement in the MBI investment scam. Sources said the 53-year-old man was detained at about 2am on Thursday (May 1) in Penang after he returned from overseas. Sources said the suspect is believed to be a proxy for the syndicate. "He is also a business partner of some of the suspects and received profits from the investment scam for money laundering purposes," sources said. Meanwhile, the IGP secretariat's Anti-Money Laundering (AMLA) division head Comm Datuk Muhammad Hasbullah Ali confirmed the arrest under Ops Northern Star. ALSO READ: Cops nab another 'Tan Sri' over MBI investment scam "However, we have not seized any belongings so far. We are still investigating the case further," he said. Previously, it was reported that a 'Tan Sri' and a 'Datuk Seri' were the latest arrests under Ops Northern Star, which has now seen RM3.5bil in assets including a hotel and durian plantations linked to the MBI investment scheme being seized. Comm Muhammad Hasbullah had said the 'Tan Sri' and 'Datuk Seri' were among five caught during the second round of arrests between April 18 and 21. This brings the number of suspects arrested to 13, with eight previously caught between March 21 and April 5. ALSO READ: Datuks held over MBI scam 'They (the latest arrested) have been remanded for between five and six days to assist investigations,' Comm Muhammad Hasbullah told a press conference at the division's headquarters here on Wednesday (April 30). Among the assets seized this round were durian plantations in Pahang, Penang and Kedah worth RM223,624,167.75. An additional 299 bank accounts with RM123,614,594.35 were also frozen, he said. All these assets were believed to have been purchased or had links to the proceeds from the scheme's illegal gains. Investigations showed that the 'Tan Sri', a businessman, had been acting as both partner to the investment scam and a proxy to the victims. ALSO READ: More arrests expected in MBI scheme crackdown As of now, no other influential figures such as politicians are on the police's radar and others who were being pursued are businessmen, said Comm Muhammad Hasbullah. Previously, the police arrested another 'Tan Sri' and further checks showed that he had no direct links to the scam, but he had actually attempted to swindle one of the suspects. Investigations showed that the 'Tan Sri' had offered to make the suspect's case 'go away' for RM25mil. 'The suspect had paid RM10mil as a deposit,' said Comm Muhammad Hasbullah, adding that the suspect told the police of the deal when he was arrested. The 'Tan Sri' was later picked up following the suspect's police report.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bukit Aman: ‘Tan Sri' and ‘Datuk Seri' among five more arrested in MBI scam as cops seize RM3.5b in assets including three durian orchards
KUALA LUMPUR, April 22 – The federal police have arrested five more local men, including a businessman with the title 'Tan Sri' and another with the title 'Datuk Seri, in their investigation of the alleged MBI Group International scam. Datuk Muhamed Hasbullah Aliq, head of the Money Laundering Crime Investigation Team of the Office of the Inspector-General of Police, said all individuals are currently under remand for five to six days to assist in the ongoing investigation. 'Following information obtained from the first operation and further investigations, the task force carried out a second series of operations in the Klang Valley and northern regions of Peninsular Malaysia from April 18 to April 21,' he said in a press conference at Menara KPJ here. Hasbullah said that the 'Tan Sri' and 'Datuk Seri' detained believed to be partners and proxy of the scam operations. He added that freezing and seizure actions were carried out on various assets and properties believed to be linked to the investment scam. A display showing luxury items and vehicles seized during Op Northern Star. April 22, 2025 — Picture by Raymond Manuel The list of newly seized, frozen and confiscated items are: Durian orchards estimated worth RM223,624,167.75 at three sites: 850 acres in Raub, Pahang; 13 acres in Jawi, Penang; and 34 acres in Tasek, Kedah 299 bank accounts with a total value of RM123,614,594.35 12 luxury vehicles one luxury wristwatch an undisclosed amount of cash in Malaysian ringgit five mobile phones one computer unit various important documents The total estimated value of all frozen and seized assets after the second operation is now RM3,513,304,957.84. 'Additionally, the task force seized three businesses under Section 52 of the Anti-Money Laundering Act (Act 613). 'The businesses include a palm oil processing factory in Selama, Kedah, a hotel in Penang, and a property development company also based in Penang,' he said. Hasbullah said his department will continue investigations and take action against any individuals or entities linked to assets derived from illegal investment fraud activities. A display showing cash and vehicles seized during Op Northern Star. April 22, 2025 — Picture by Raymond Manuel On March 20, the police carried out an enforcement initiative known as Ops Northern Star, following a red notice issued by Interpol. Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said police arrested eight individuals, including four with the title of Datuk, in connection with the MBI scam and seized RM3.17 billion worth of assets. Authorities had then frozen 638 bank and share accounts worth RM1,160,166,195.74. They also seized 35 properties valued at RM2,005,900,000. Other confiscated items included 10 luxury cars, 12 luxury watches and cash in both local and foreign currencies. The detained individuals, aged between 44 and 62, included two businessmen and two lawyers. Last year, authorities extradited MBI founder Tedy Teow from Thailand to China to assist in investigations involving Chinese victims of the scheme. MBI reportedly attracted investors from Malaysia, China, Thailand, Indonesia, and Macau through dubious online investment schemes. Teow operated various businesses, including a hotel, theme park, resort, furniture outlet, and property development projects in Danok, near the Thailand-Malaysia border.
The Star
22-04-2025
- Business
- The Star
Cops nab another 'Tan Sri' over MBI investment scam
KUALA LUMPUR: Police have arrested another individual with a "Tan Sri" title over its probe into the MBI investment scam The IGP secretariat's anti-money laundering division head Comm Datuk Muhammad Hasbullah Ali said the Tan Sri was among five suspects nabbed in a second round of arrests from April 18 to 21. Among the five was another with a "Datuk Seri" title. "They have been remanded between five to six days to assist investigations. "Among the assets seized this round include durian plantations in Pahang, Penang and Kedah worth RM223,624,167.75. An additional 299 bank accounts worth RM123,614,594.35 were also frozen," he said, adding the assets seized are believed to have been purchased with or linked to the scheme's illegal gains. "From the outside, the land purchase looked proper but it was purchased using illegal money," he said. Investigations showed that the Tan Sri, a businessman, acted as a proxy for the scammers to the victims. Comm Muhammad Hasbullah said no other influential figures were on their radar and most suspects were businessmen. He added only six police reports had been lodged nationwide and that police have been investigating the case for seven to eight years. "From the Interpol Red Notice, there were around 11 million victims from neighbouring countries. On April 11, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said that eight suspects including those with Datuk titles had been arrested over the MBI investment scam. Around RM3bill in assets, including hundreds of bank and shared accounts as well as property were seized in the first round of arrests. Comm Muhammad Hasbullah said the first "Tan Sri" arrested was not directly involved in the syndicate but had duped a suspect into paying money to avoid being arrested. "The deal was originally for RM25mill and the suspect paid RM10mill as deposit. "When he was arrested he told police that he had paid money," he said, adding that the suspect then made a police report. "We arrested that 'Tan Sri' and the money paid was also recovered," he said.
Malay Mail
22-04-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Bukit Aman: ‘Tan Sri' and ‘Datuk Seri' among five more arrested in MBI scam as cops seize RM3.5b in assets including three durian orchards
KUALA LUMPUR, April 22 – The federal police have arrested five more local men, including a businessman with the title 'Tan Sri' and another with the title 'Datuk Seri, in their investigation of the alleged MBI Group International scam. Datuk Muhamed Hasbullah Aliq, head of the Money Laundering Crime Investigation Team of the Office of the Inspector-General of Police, said all individuals are currently under remand for five to six days to assist in the ongoing investigation. 'Following information obtained from the first operation and further investigations, the task force carried out a second series of operations in the Klang Valley and northern regions of Peninsular Malaysia from April 18 to April 21,' he said in a press conference at Menara KPJ here. Hasbullah said that the 'Tan Sri' and 'Datuk Seri' detained believed to be partners and proxy of the scam operations. He added that freezing and seizure actions were carried out on various assets and properties believed to be linked to the investment scam. A display showing luxury items and vehicles seized during Op Northern Star. April 22, 2025 — Picture by Raymond Manuel The list of newly seized, frozen and confiscated items are: Durian orchards estimated worth RM223,624,167.75 at three sites: 850 acres in Raub, Pahang; 13 acres in Jawi, Penang; and 34 acres in Tasek, Kedah 299 bank accounts with a total value of RM123,614,594.35 12 luxury vehicles one luxury wristwatch an undisclosed amount of cash in Malaysian ringgit five mobile phones one computer unit various important documents The total estimated value of all frozen and seized assets after the second operation is now RM3,513,304,957.84. 'Additionally, the task force seized three businesses under Section 52 of the Anti-Money Laundering Act (Act 613). 'The businesses include a palm oil processing factory in Selama, Kedah, a hotel in Penang, and a property development company also based in Penang,' he said. Hasbullah said his department will continue investigations and take action against any individuals or entities linked to assets derived from illegal investment fraud activities. A display showing cash and vehicles seized during Op Northern Star. April 22, 2025 — Picture by Raymond Manuel On March 20, the police carried out an enforcement initiative known as Ops Northern Star, following a red notice issued by Interpol. Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said police arrested eight individuals, including four with the title of Datuk, in connection with the MBI scam and seized RM3.17 billion worth of assets. Authorities had then frozen 638 bank and share accounts worth RM1,160,166,195.74. They also seized 35 properties valued at RM2,005,900,000. Other confiscated items included 10 luxury cars, 12 luxury watches and cash in both local and foreign currencies. The detained individuals, aged between 44 and 62, included two businessmen and two lawyers. Last year, authorities extradited MBI founder Tedy Teow from Thailand to China to assist in investigations involving Chinese victims of the scheme. MBI reportedly attracted investors from Malaysia, China, Thailand, Indonesia, and Macau through dubious online investment schemes. Teow operated various businesses, including a hotel, theme park, resort, furniture outlet, and property development projects in Danok, near the Thailand-Malaysia border.
