MACC raids banks, money changers suspected of being middlemen for international scam syndicates

KUALA LUMPUR - The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has raided several premises of local banks, money changers and company registrars around Kuala Lumpur for suspicion of conspiring and acting as middlemen for scam syndicates today.

The MACC's Anti-Money Laundering Division raids were a follow-up to Op Tropicana led by MACC deputy commissioner Datuk Mohamad Zamri Zainul Abidin.

A source stated that the raids involved several financial institutions, money changers and company registrars around Kuala Lumpur.

"They are suspected of facilitating international scam syndicates by opening companies and bank accounts in Malaysia.

"Malaysia had become the syndicate's choice as one of the countries to run scam activities because facilities were provided here," the source said.

Additionally, MACC was said to have also arrested a 41-year-old foreign man who was a wanted syndicate member due to his connection with the investment scam case.

"The special force detained the individual at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) 2 after he arrived from Cambodia to fly to the United Kingdom (UK).

"The individual is suspected to be responsible in creating fake websites to convince victims to invest in a non-existing investment," he said.

Meanwhile, Mohamad Zamri had confirmed the raid when contacted but he did not comment further.

Previously, MACC busted an international investment syndicate orchestrated by UK citizens in 24 separate premises raid through Op Tropicana on Feb 21.

The operations were conducted simultaneously with raids at three call centres, companies and syndicate members' residence around Klang Valley and Penang, without the police.

It was understood that the syndicate had been operating since 2019 and scammed almost RM200 million out of Australian and UK citizen victims, and was believed to have also bribed authorities so they can continue to operate.

MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki reportedly said the syndicate's modus operandi was to offer non-existent investment portfolios through advertisement on social media and the syndicate members consisted of people from Australia, Britain, South Africa and the Philippines.

He said this syndicate was part of an international syndicate that was believed to have cheated victims worldwide of up to RM1 billion.

A total of 11 suspects were arrested while another 70 individuals were detained by the Immigration Department in the operation.

A total of 74 accounts belonging to these individuals and companies have been frozen with an estimated value at RM11 million.