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A 'TAN SRI' and 'Datuk Seri' are among five others arrested in connection with investigations into the alleged MBI Group International scam.
Bukit Aman's Anti-Money Laundering Crime Investigation Unit chief Datuk Muhammed Hasbullah Ali said all those arrested have been remanded between five to six days to assist investigations.
Speaking at a press conference today, he said the police task force conducted a second operation from April 17 to 21 following information from the first operation and also investigations.
"The two men with the 'Tan Sri' and 'Datuk Seri' titles are believed to be partners," he said.
More than 11 million victims over the past eight years are believed to have fallen victims to the Mobility Beyond Imagination (MBI), which included those from a neighbouring country, police revealed today.
"Among the assets seized this round include durian plantations in Pahang, Penang and Kedah worth RM223,624,167.75. An additional 299 bank accounts worth RM123,614,594.35 were also frozen," he said.
The assets seized are believed to have been purchased with or linked to the scheme's illegal gains.
"From the outside, the land purchase looked proper but it was purchased using illegal money," he said.
“Additionally, the task force seized three businesses under Section 52 of the Anti-Money Laundering Act (Act 613).
“The businesses include a palm oil processing factory in Selama, Kedah, a hotel in Penang, and a property development company also based in Penang,” he said.
Hasbullah said no other influential figures were on their radar and most suspects were businessmen.
He added only six police reports had been lodged nationwide and that police have been investigating the case for seven to eight years.
On April 11, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said police arrested eight individuals, including four with the title of Datuk, in connection with the MBI scam.
Around RM3bill in assets, including hundreds of banks and shared accounts as well as property were seized in the first round of arrests.
The detained individuals, aged between 44 and 62, included two businessmen and two lawyers.
Hasbullah said the first "Tan Sri" arrested was not directly involved in the syndicate but had duped a suspect into paying money to avoid being arrested.
MBI reportedly attracted investors from Malaysia, China, Thailand, Indonesia, and Macau through dubious online investment schemes. - April 22, 2025
