'Baju Raya' scam: husband and wife detained by Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry

SHAH ALAM - The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry have detained a husband and wife to aid investigations for the failure of supplying baju raya involving transactions worth hundreds of thousands of ringgit.

The arrests of the two individuals were done at the Manjung Ministry Branch office, Perak related to 100 complaints from victims throughout the nation who didn't receive their clothes for Eid.

Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry director-general Datuk Azman Adam said the couple in their 40s were suspected of wrongfully agreeing to accept payment without the intention to supply clothes sold online on May 11.

"Investigations found the suspect received money from customers through their company bank account involving hundreds of thousands of ringgit through Facebook advertisements.

"The electronic equipment found has been confiscated for further investigations. The overall value of the seized items were RM8,700.

"Both local suspects were brought to the Manjung magistrate's court that gave a remand order of four days starting on May 12 to May 15, 2023," he said in a statement on Monday.

He said in addition to being investigated under the Consumer Protection Act 1999 (Act 599) the couple will be investigated under Section 4 of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLATFPUAA 2001) (Act 613).

He said if found guilty under Act 613 the couple could face a prison sentence of not more than 15 years and a fine of not less than five times of the proceeds obtained from the illegal activities.

"The ministry has warned that it will not compromise with any parties involved in performing online scams.

"The ministry will always observe online sales activities including performing investigations on complaints received by the public to curb scams from running rampant," he said.