Latest news with #MalaysianInternationalHumanitarianOrganisation
New Straits Times
a day ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Over 100 victims urge police to act on investment scam
KUALA LUMPUR: More than 100 victims allegedly duped by an investment scam have come forward to urge the police to take action against the syndicate responsible. The victims gathered outside the Federal Commercial Crime Investigation Department at Menara KPJ here this morning, hoping the authorities would expedite the investigation into the case. One of the victims, who only wanted to be known as Vincent, 38, a programmer, said he had dreams of getting married and buying a house. "I learned about the investment scheme through several friends and decided to join in. "I invested a total of RM120,000 before the company abruptly converted our investments into an unknown cryptocurrency with no real value," he said, adding that he has now lost his life savings. Vincent said it was difficult to accept that he had to start saving from scratch. "This was my life savings. How am I supposed to support my parents and my sister, who is still studying, as the sole breadwinner?" he asked. Meanwhile, retired accountant Alan Tan, 58, said he invested more than RM150,000 in the scheme back in 2020. "Without warning, they converted our investments into a cryptocurrency that had no value. "There was no one we could turn to when this happened. I just hope the police will step in and make an example out of them," he said, adding that he and other victims would only be satisfied if those responsible were sentenced to more than 25 years in jail and several strokes of the cane. Tan said many victims had lost their life savings and were forced to sell their homes just to make ends meet because of the scam. Another victim, who only wanted to be known as Ganesh, 50, said he, along with his family members and close friends, had invested nearly RM2 million. "My wife and I now don't know how to face them. "Many of them invested their life savings because, at first, the scheme offered good returns. We were shocked when the company later began paying returns in the form of an unknown cryptocurrency," he said. Malaysian International Humanitarian Organisation (MHO) secretary-general Datuk Hishamuddin Hashim said the organisation had received complaints from 209 victims involving losses amounting to more than RM82.16 million. "All of these victims have lodged police reports. "Based on our checks, the company is owned by a Malaysian and also employed other locals as marketing agents to promote the syndicate's schemes," he said, adding that the victims are urging the police to expedite investigations and bring those responsible to justice.
Daily Express
27-05-2025
- Daily Express
Sandakan man falls victim to human trafficking
Published on: Wednesday, May 28, 2025 Published on: Wed, May 28, 2025 By: Sisca Humphrey Text Size: The family member (right) showing the video of the victim. Kota Kinabalu: A 23-year-old man from Sandakan has fallen victim to a human trafficking syndicate and is believed held captive in Cambodia, according to the Malaysian International Humanitarian Organisation (MHO). Its Sabah Chief Operating Officer, Capt (R) Jerry Jaimeh, said the victim flew to Peninsular Malaysia on Feb 10 for a job opportunity. However, he was deceived and believed trafficked to Cambodia by a syndicate operating across Southeast Asia. 'The victim realised he had been tricked and was forced to work under exploitative conditions. He managed to contact his family for help before communication was cut off,' Jerry told a press conference, Tuesday. Family members, who were present, said they were alerted to the victim's situation after being contacted by his former employer a few days ago. Subscribe or LOG IN to access this article. Support Independant Journalism Subscribe to Daily Express Malaysia Access to DE E-Paper Access to DE E-Paper Exclusive News Exclusive News Invites to special events Invites to special events Giveaways & Rewards 1-Year Most Popular (Income Tax Deductible) Explore Plans Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
27-05-2025
- Daily Express
Sabahan youth trafficked to Cambodia by fake job syndicate
Published on: Tuesday, May 27, 2025 Published on: Tue, May 27, 2025 By: Sisca Humphrey Text Size: KOTA KINABALU: A 23-year-old man from Sandakan is believed to be held captive in Cambodia after falling victim to a human trafficking syndicate, says the Malaysian International Humanitarian Organisation (MHO). MHO Sabah COO Capt (R) Jerry Jaimeh said the victim flew to Peninsular Malaysia on Feb 10 for a job, but was deceived and trafficked to Cambodia. He later contacted his family for help before losing communication. The family, alerted by the victim's former employer via Telegram, lodged a police report and sought MHO's help. A rescue mission, led by MHO's Azirul Syafiq Zainal Abidin, is being planned in coordination with Cambodian authorities. MHO said the syndicate is part of a larger network that lures victims with fake overseas job offers. Jerry also highlighted a rise in such cases from Sabah and Sarawak, blaming economic vulnerability. In a related case, a 25-year-old farmer from Keningau was trafficked to Myanmar after being duped by old friends with fake job promises in Singapore. He was rescued and returned home three days after MHO's intervention. * Read full report in tomorrow's print paper or log in or sign up for e-paper and premium online news access. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
New Straits Times
15-05-2025
- New Straits Times
Humanitarian NGO demands answers over Gigamax arrests
PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian International Humanitarian Organisation (MHO) has pressed police for an official update on the arrests of three suspects believed to be the main figures behind the Gigamax investment scam. The trio were reportedly detained at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on May 6. Despite the high-profile nature of the case, MHO said authorities have yet to issue a formal statement. "We have been given to understand that the suspects masterminded the Gigamax investment scheme, which saw local investors lose millions of ringgit," MHO secretary Hishamuddin Hashim was reported by Utusan Malaysia as saying during a press conference. Hishamuddin was referring to a Chinese daily report on May 9 which claimed the suspects had been taken to the Cheras police headquarters following their arrest. Hishamuddin said MHO submitted an official letter to federal police Commercial Crime Investigation Department this morning to seek confirmation on the suspects' current status. "We would like to know whether the suspects are still being detained, have been freed on bail, or (the case has been) handed over to the Attorney-General's Chambers for prosecution," he said. He added that the letter represented 99 investors who collectively lost more than RM4.8 million in the scheme. Police investigations into Gigamax were triggered following confirmation from Bank Negara Malaysia that the scheme involved fraudulent activity. The case is being probed under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating. In an operation on Nov 13 last year, police arrested 11 people aged between 34 and 59, including two women, in multiple raids across Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Pahang, Kelantan, Terengganu and Melaka. One of the affected investors, 60-year-old Noraishah Muhammad, voiced her frustration over the lack of progress. "We want transparency. As victims, we have a right to the latest updates on the masterminds of the scheme," she said.
New Straits Times
13-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Investors seek probe into firm linked to RM80 million in losses
KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 232 investors are calling for a thorough investigation into a firm that ran a purported Islamic investment scheme, which chalked up at least RM80 million in losses. Malaysian International Humanitarian Organisation secretary-general Datuk Hishamuddin Hashim said the company also used the name of a well-known Syariah-compliant investment figure. He said, at first glance, the investment appeared "clean", and the involvement of the figure further boosted the confidence of victims. "The company used marketing agents to promote and offer the IRPS (Islamic Redeemable Preference Shares) scheme, which they claimed was Shariah-compliant. "They had Shariah compliance certificates and also submitted a document known as the Information Memorandum (IM) to the Securities Commission (SC)," he told reporters outside the Securities Commission Headquarters today. He said the problem was that many investors thought that the investment had been approved by the SC. Also present was Datuk Seri Mahadi Badrul Zaman, a marketing agent for the investment scheme, who claimed he was also a victim of the scheme. Mahadi claimed he suffered over RM20.7 million in losses after investing in the two companies involved. Hishamuddin said the investment companies misled investors using the Information Memorandum. "The submission of an Information Memorandum is only allowed for sophisticated investors — those with a net asset value of at least RM3 million and a minimum investment of RM250,000. "However, many of the complainants were retail investors, investing between RM50,000 and RM100,000 each. "This shows that the scheme was offered to parties who were not legally eligible under the Capital Markets and Services Act 2007 (Act 671)," he added. He said the memorandum submitted to the SC included a request to investigate the involvement of the investment figure, who is also a registered Shariah adviser for the company. MHO is also calling for investigations into possible false representation and misleading advertising with the intent to defraud investors. "This is a major case involving public interest. Among the victims are individuals from the oil and gas sector as well as prominent corporate figures. "We urge the SC to open an investigation paper and submit it to the Attorney-General's Chambers for prosecution of those behind the scheme," he said. It was reported early last year that Mahadi, husband to actress Heliza Helmi, had been included in the Securities Commission's (SC) investor alert list . Checks on the SC's website showed that his name and that of his company, AUF MBZ Consortium Plt, had been added to the investor alert list. Under the remarks column, the site stated that Mahadi's name was listed for "Carrying on unlicensed capital market activities of dealing in securities about the marketing of Unlisted Public Company shares". Social media was abuzz previously when actress Fathia Latiff claimed that Heliza's husband, who is better known as Mahadi BZ, had "cheated her". She had alleged that Mahadi had failed to complete a house that she bought five years ago.
