Latest news with #MuhammedHasbullah
The Star
3 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Another Tan Sri linked to MBI nabbed, RM527mil seized
KUALA LUMPUR: An additional RM527.5mil in assets linked to MBI International Group have been seized and frozen by police, bringing the total value of assets recovered to RM3.8bil. Three more people, including a businessman with the Tan Sri title, are the latest ones arrested to assist in investigations into an investment fraud scheme involving MBI under Op Northern Star. Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department acting director Datuk Seri Muhammed Hasbullah Ali said the three suspects, aged 46, 54 and 58, were arrested in Kuala Lumpur and Penang between May 1 and 17. 'The three individuals acted as proxies who run various businesses to launder money accrued from the syndicate's fraud. 'Police have also frozen assets and properties believed to be the proceeds illegally acquired through a Ponzi scheme worth RM527,468,296.11,' he said here yesterday, Bernama reported. Big haul: Muhammed Hasbullah (second from right) showing some of the seized items, with a whiteboard showing the bigger items, during a press conference. — Bernama Among the assets and properties are four luxury yachts worth RM36.3mil, 477 properties (RM150mil), four condominium units (RM12mil), 37 bank accounts (RM328,088,127.11) and cash (RM283,070). With the arrests, the number of individuals detained in the MBI investment fraud case stands at 17, with total assets frozen and seized amounting to RM3.81bil. Muhammed Hasbullah did not rule out the possibility of further arrests and asset seizures. Asked if any politician was involved in the syndicate, he said none had been identified so far but did not dismiss the possibility pending further investigation. Earlier this month, The Star reported that a Tan Sri was arrested for alleged involvement in the MBI investment scam. His arrest brought the total of those detained in the ongoing investigation to 14 people. The 53-year-old man, who was detained in Penang on May 1 after he returned from overseas, is believed to be either a syndicate proxy or a business partner of the suspects. The daily had also previously reported that two other prominent businessmen with Tan Sri titles and a Datuk Seri were already in custody. The arrests of the earlier 13 suspects were made between March 21 and April 21, which has seen RM3.5bil in assets including a hotel and durian plantations linked to the MBI investment scheme previously seized. Among the assets seized then 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 added. All these assets are believed to have been purchased or had links to the proceeds from the scheme's illegal gains.
The Sun
4 days ago
- The Sun
Public advised to be alert: Beware of fraudulent haj offers
KUALA LUMPUR: The public is reminded to exercise caution when purchasing haj packages, following Saudi Arabia's recent decision to tighten the issuance of Mujamalah (special quota) visas for Malaysian pilgrims. Acting Director of the Commercial Crime Investigation Department (JSJK) Datuk Seri Muhammed Hasbullah Ali said that in light of the tightened issuance of Mujamalah visas, the department anticipates a rise in haj fraud syndicates promoting seemingly attractive fake packages to deceive unsuspecting victims. He advised the public to remain vigilant and avoid falling prey to such scams by verifying whether the company or agent offering the package is officially registered with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) and Pilgrims Fund Board (Lembaga Tabung Haji - TH). To date, the police have received one report involving haj package fraud, with losses amounting to RM71,000, he told a press conference here today. He said this year, Saudi Arabia has reduced the number of Mujamalah visas for Malaysians to perform the haj pilgrimage, and because of that, the issuance of permits has become much stricter. According to Muhammed Hasbullah, a special task force has been formed by Bukit Aman, in collaboration with MOTAC and TH, to address the issues of stranded haj pilgrims. It will coordinate investigations, manage documentation and take legal action against those suspected of involvement in fraudulent haj package offers. The task force's operations centre will be at the One-Stop Centre Meeting Room, Level 2, Block B Parking, Main Terminal, Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA, he4 said, adding that it is part of an initiative to strengthen the service delivery system to the people, especially in dealing with complaints and issues related fraudulent haj offers.
The Sun
4 days ago
- The Sun
Saifuddin Nasution's Whatsapp account hacked using foreign VPN
KUALA LUMPUR: The WhatsApp account of Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has been hacked using a foreign virtual private network (VPN). Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) acting director Datuk Seri Muhammed Hasbullah Ali said that after accessing the minister's WhatsApp account, the suspect sent his URL links to all his contacts on the app. 'So far, there have been no complaints of individuals suffering losses due to the incident. Swift action by the minister's officers, who immediately reported the incident, prevented anyone from being deceived. 'Police are investigating the case under Section 4(1) of the Computer Crimes Act 1997,' he told a media conference here today. On Monday, the Home Minister's office said the WhatsApp account of Saifuddin Nasution had been hacked and that the matter had been reported to the authorities. In another development, Muhammed Hasbullah said they have busted a phone scam syndicate targeting Japanese nationals following a raid on a three-storey bungalow in Kajang on May 13. He said the raid, by a team from the Bukit Aman CCID, also arrested eight individuals, comprising two Chinese and six Japanese nationals aged between 23 and 56, who operated as the call centre's agents. 'Also seized were seven iPads, one laptop, nine mobile phones, nine modems, one set of scripts and a bunch of keys, with the total seizure estimated at RM25,000,' he said, adding that the raid was a result of intelligence and information gathered regarding the call centre's scam activities. Muhammed Hasbullah said preliminary investigations found that the syndicate had been operating for the past two months posing as the Osaka Police in Japan to deceive victims. 'The syndicate would send messages via short messaging service (SMS) to victims claiming that police had detained individuals involved in fraud cases and found bank cards registered under the victims' names. The victims would then be contacted using a voice call, purportedly for further investigation. 'After being deceived, the victims will be asked to provide personal information and to transfer a certain amount of cash to accounts controlled by the syndicate. After all the information and cash had been obtained, the syndicate will terminate all communications and the victims won't be able to contact them anymore,' he said. He added that the two Chinese nationals detained have been charged under Section 29(1) of the Minor Offences Act 1955 and Section 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1956/63 on May 22, while the six Japanese nationals will be charged on June 3.
The Sun
22-05-2025
- The Sun
Task force to address stranded Haj pilgrims formed
KUALA LUMPUR: The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) and Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH), will establish a special task force to address the issue of pilgrims stranded during this Haj season. Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) acting director Datuk Seri Muhammed Hasbullah Ali said the move was a strategic step to ensure every complaint related to stranded Haj pilgrims was handled efficiently, systematically, and effectively. He said the task force would begin operations at 8 am on May 30 and operate around the clock. Muhammed Hasbullah said the task force operations centre would be located at the One Stop Centre Meeting Room, Level 2, Block B Parking, Main Terminal, Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). 'This special team will coordinate investigations, manage documentation, and take legal action against individuals or company owners suspected of involvement in fraudulent Haj offers,' he said in a statement today. He added that PDRM, MOTAC and TH each had their own jurisdictions and legal authority in addressing various Haj-related fraud offences, and all actions would be taken in accordance with the existing legal provisions. As a preventive measure, he advised prospective pilgrims to thoroughly check the Haj packages offered and ensure that the companies involved were registered with TH to avoid falling victim to fraud.
The Sun
22-05-2025
- The Sun
Special task force formed to tackle stranded Haj pilgrims issue
KUALA LUMPUR: The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) and Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH), will establish a special task force to address the issue of pilgrims stranded during this Haj season. Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) acting director Datuk Seri Muhammed Hasbullah Ali said the move was a strategic step to ensure every complaint related to stranded Haj pilgrims was handled efficiently, systematically, and effectively. He said the task force would begin operations at 8 am on May 30 and operate around the clock. Muhammed Hasbullah said the task force operations centre would be located at the One Stop Centre Meeting Room, Level 2, Block B Parking, Main Terminal, Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). 'This special team will coordinate investigations, manage documentation, and take legal action against individuals or company owners suspected of involvement in fraudulent Haj offers,' he said in a statement today. He added that PDRM, MOTAC and TH each had their own jurisdictions and legal authority in addressing various Haj-related fraud offences, and all actions would be taken in accordance with the existing legal provisions. As a preventive measure, he advised prospective pilgrims to thoroughly check the Haj packages offered and ensure that the companies involved were registered with TH to avoid falling victim to fraud.
