PDRM ready to help Gujarat police go after five locals in money laundering case

KUALA LUMPUR - The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) are ready to assist the Indian police track down five individuals from Malaysia who are believed to be involved in money laundering activities amounting to Rs33 crore (RM18.6 million).

Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) director Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf said they were always open to provide assistance if needed.

However, he said based on checks with the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol), they have not received any official request for assistance from India so far.

"PDRM is ready to assist the Gujarat police, India, in locating these five suspects if a formal request is made, despite the activities being carried out abroad; it is still a criminal offence," he said today.

It was previously reported that the Gujarat police in India was actively tracing five individuals believed to be involved in money laundering activities in India.

The investigation was launched following the discovery of Rs33 crore 'flowing' from thousands of bank accounts in two districts in Saurashtra to Kuala Lumpur through money laundering activities.

This case was said to be related to a fraud scheme masterminded by Chinese nationals, which ensnared around 1,175 victims in Gujarat through a soccer betting app-based ponzi scheme.

Following this, a new First Information Report (FIR) was filed by the Gujarat police against 15 individuals, including five Malaysians involved.

The syndicate was accused of orchestrating a scheme involving the creation of fake bank accounts in the Rajkot and Veraval districts to commit fraud and launder money obtained unlawfully through online gaming and betting.