Latest news with #Ponzi
Epoch Times
5 hours ago
- Business
- Epoch Times
Social Security Is Not a Ponzi Scheme, but in One Way It's Worse
Commentary In a recent interview with Joe Rogan, Elon Musk said, 'Social Security is the biggest Ponzi scheme of all time.' This was hardly an original comment.
The Star
16 hours 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.
Hindustan Times
20 hours ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Torres fraud: Mapping the money trail
MUMBAI: The money laundering investigation into the Torres Jewellery fraud has revealed how the key accused used codes, software applications and instant messaging to communicate with each other, move money around, and transfer large sums to the masterminds. Torres Jewellery, whose holding company was Platinum Hern Pvt Ltd, had lured small investors to buy into its fraudulent investment schemes by selling low-value synthetic moissanite stones as high-value gemstones. It also promised exaggerated returns on its investment schemes, using misleading advertisements, fake bonuses and a Ponzi scheme to entice potential victims. The Enforcement Directorate (ED), which on May 22 charge sheeted 13 individuals and entities in the case, has estimated the fraud at ₹177.11 crore, relying on evidence or records that relate to Platinum Hern's finances and accounts, including transactions of its main showroom in Dadar, one of its five showrooms in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). The key accused in the case are: Alpesh Khara, Sagar Mehta, Oleksandr Zapichenko alias Alex, Olena Stoian, Victoria Kovalenko, Tazagul Khasatova alias Tanya, Lallan Singh, Tausif Reyaz, Abhishek Gupta and Savesh Surve. They have been booked under sections relating to cheating and criminal breach of trust of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS); the Maharashtra Protection of Interest of Depositors Act, and the Banning of Unregulated Deposit Schemes Act. Platinum Hern allegedly collected unauthorised cash deposits without the approval of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), showing only ₹2.10 crore in its bank accounts, the ED said in its chargesheet. The ED's investigation also revealed that Platinum Hern had developed an internal software domain, called ' All the senior cashiers in all the Torres showrooms, along with employees and key managerial staff, were given access with a user ID and password. The software was allegedly used to store details of banking transactions, incoming cash and encashment transactions. It was also designed to facilitate encashment through a unique code-based authentication system, according to ED sources. The codes were allegedly sent to individuals desiring cash encashment through Telegram, an instant messaging app, according to the ED. An investigation into the unique codes revealed the alleged existence of a Telegram group named 'Cash Counter 1', through which the management used to send specific codes to authorise cash disbursements. However, this Telegram group has been deleted by the administrator, rendering the data irretrievable, according to the ED. The investigation also revealed that daily reports sent by senior cashiers to management to track daily sales, income and expenses, including the delivery of cash to specific persons, were found in another alleged Telegram group called 'Record to Report', where senior cashiers of Dadar showroom were members. The information shared within this group, did not cover all working days of a week but was confined to a few specific dates. Further, WhatsApp chats among a few accused persons and the Dadar showroom cashiers allegedly consistently used the term 'Code 2' as an internal trigger for cash pick-ups, the ED's probe found. The alleged chats were for the purpose of collection of cash from the showroom at the behest of the management of Platinum Hern. According to the ED, two key accused, both Ukrainians – Oleksandr Zapichenko alias Alex and Olena Stoian – were the key architects of the financial structuring and laundering operations. Both have fled the country. Another accused, Alpesh Khara, allegedly helped Alex convert the cash collected from customers into a cryptocurrency called 'USDT', which was then credited to digital wallets associated with individuals known to Alex. Another accused, Lallan Singh, through his proprietary concerns, allegedly transferred over ₹13 crore to bank accounts of Platinum Hern as fake investments, after accepting cash from Alex, which was generated through a co-accused against crypto-currency. 'His role was central in laundering illicit funds and creating a false front of legitimate business activity for the company,' an ED source said. He added that the agency is making continued efforts to trace further proceeds of the crime.
Time of India
21 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
‘Torres staff used code-based system to divert 177cr funds'
Mumbai: A specialised internal software system utilised by Torres Jewellery's senior cashiers and essential staff operated through code-based authentication and thus diverted Rs 177 crore collected through their outlets from customers with expectations of higher figures, said an Enforcement Directorate chargesheet in the Platinum Hern (Torres Jewellery) case The ED said Torres' internal software recorded cash transactions using code-based verification, requiring customers at Mumbai outlets to use specific Telegram codes for cash withdrawal authorisation. Cashiers recorded payments following code verification. The company collected deposits without RBI authorisation, declaring only Rs 2.1 crore in bank accounts despite substantial unreported transactions. Torres Group's key personnel appropriated the funds for personal purposes, the ED said. The ED investigation showed an internal system accessible to senior cashiers and personnel with unique login credentials. The chargesheet is against Platinum Hern Pvt Ltd and several individuals including Alpesh Khara, Sagar Mehta, Oleksandr alias Alex, Olena Stoian, Viktoria Kovalenko, Sarvesh Surve, Tausif Reyaz alias John Carter, Lallan Singh, Abhishek Gupta, Tazagul Khasatova alias Tanya, and Astrozen Pharma and Prisah Advisory. Alex and Olena Stoian were identified as the principal designers of financial structuring and money laundering operations, providing initial funds through unlawful channels and enabling conversion of undocumented cash into apparently legitimate investments. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 개수 제한 없는, 부담 없는 임플란트 개당 36만원 과잉진료 없는 치과 지금 예약 Undo Torres allegedly conducted a fraudulent operation, marketing synthetic moissanite as precious gems with unrealistic return guarantees. Their strategy included misleading advertisements, artificial bonuses and a referral system typical of Ponzi schemes. Mumbai showroom customers required Telegram-transmitted codes for cash collection. The 'Cash Counter 1' Telegram group issued these authorisation codes, according to the ED. The ED said daily reports from senior cashiers monitoring sales, income, and cash deliveries were discovered in the 'Record to Report' Telegram group, involving Dadar showroom personnel. The available information covered particular dates rather than all operational days. "Current evidence indicates proceeds of crime at Rs 177 crore with potential for increase as investigations continue." WhatsApp exchanges between Sagar Mehta, Aman, and Dadar cashiers used "Code 2" for cash collections. ED reported Alpesh Khara assisted Alex in converting customer cash to cryptocurrency.
The Star
a day ago
- Business
- The Star
MBI scam: Tan Sri among three more arrested, RM500mil in luxury assets frozen
KUALA LUMPUR: Three more individuals, including a businessman with the title of Tan Sri, have been arrested to assist in investigations into an investment fraud scheme involving MBI International Group (MBI) under Op Northern Star. Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department acting director Comm 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 investment pyramid scheme worth RM527,468,296.11,' he told a press conference here on Friday (May 30). He said among the assets and properties were four luxury yachts worth RM36.3mil, 477 properties worth 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. Meanwhile, Comm Hasbullah did not rule out the possibility of further arrests and asset seizures. Asked whether any politicians were involved in the syndicate, he said none had been identified so far but did not dismiss the possibility pending further investigation.- Bernama
