Datuk worth RM1b on the run, two Datuk brothers nabbed

Kuala Lumpur: Datuk Seri Nicky Liow Soon Hee (pic) is believed to be on the run with bags of cash.

Johor police chief Comm Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said investigations revealed that Liow, 33, was last seen at Setiawalk, Puchong on March 20. 

“We received information that he packed eight bags with cash and fled.

“Although he is believed to still be in the country, we cannot rule out the possibility that he may try to find a way out illegally.

“We do believe that his movements are now limited due to the fact that his two brothers have been arrested,” he said.

He said Liow was believed to have a close relationship with his two younger brothers, aged 28 and 30.

“Our checks revealed that Liow has 12 prior cases for criminal intimidation, causing hurt and drug-related offences. The two younger brothers also have prior cases for drug-related offences as well.

“Our checks revealed the two were a Datuk and Datuk Seri, ” said Comm Ayob Khan, who added investigations revealed that Liow controlled the CCTV network at Setiawalk, Puchong, where the syndicate rented 48 apartments for their scam activities. 

“Their datukships are believed to be from a certain state. He may also have had a special escape route there to avoid capture. 

“Our checks also revealed that Liow had over RM40mil in his personal accounts, based on information from Bank Negara, ” he said, adding that the syndicate these men were involved in had been active since 2014.

Police crushed his billion ringgit scam network in a massive operation with the arrest of 68 suspects, including two Datuks Seri and six Datuks.

The Macau scam syndicate, that was involved in loan shark activities, non-existent investment schemes and fraudulent online sales, was exposed after police uncovered scam cases and mule bank accounts linked to Liow’s company, Winner Dynasty Group.

Five other companies run by Liow’s younger brother and several of his friends that were in alliance with the Winner Dynasty Group and laundered money were also identified by police.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador said 34 officers from enforcement agencies, including the police, who were conspirators of the syndicate, have also been identified and are being investigated for their involvement.

He said other high-ranking government officials involved was a former deputy public prosecutor who was arrested last week.

Abdul Hamid said the ex-court official was the “conduit” who recruited senior officials of enforcement agencies to cooperate with the syndicate.

“Our investigations show that Liow has a net worth of about RM1 billion. He is still in the country,” he said.

“He managed to transfer a large amount of cash to international accounts after getting wind that police were after him. We suspect this happened because information was leaked by a mole in the police force. 

“This is an act of betrayal by police personnel and we will take stern action. Not disciplinary action, which is secondary, but action in accordance with the law.”

Abdul Hamid said the syndicate mainly targeted victims in China by offering investment schemes and promising high returns.

He said the operation, codenamed Ops Pelican 3.0, involved 220 police personnel from the Johor CID, Johor commercial crimes investigations department and the General Operations Force.