KUALA LUMPUR: The police have taken down three scam operations including the infamous 'Giganation GIB Berhad', which the victims had recorded losses up to RM3.9 million.
Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) of Bukit Aman director, Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf said police have received 57 reports from across the country since 2021 regarding a scam linked to Giganation GIB.
Operating since 2017, Ramli said the company claimed to be involved in real estate and asset development.
"They promoted investments through Facebook and appointed agents," he said during a press conference today at CCID headquarters, here.
Ramli said that the company had two investment packages offered to customers, promising returns every 45 or 60 days.
He said investors were assured returns by investing in real estate, with dividends initially paid in the first or second month.
However, Ramli said that the payments stopped, leaving many investors in the dark about their funds.
"On December 7, 2023, all three directors, aged 49 to 57, were arrested. They were granted remand until December 12, 2023, as investigations continue under Section 420 of the Penal Code," he added.
In another investment scam operation, Ramli said that his team has managed to arrest seven individuals at a call centre in the country's capital.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the syndicate operated under the guise of a fake investment platform called Alpha Al (Alphaai.vip).
Ramli said that the operatives targeted victims, especially from the Indian population, by creating a fake cryptocurrency market.
He said that the scam included a fraudulent website and fabricated stock market graphics to lure unsuspecting investors.
"During the raid, authorities confiscated 13 mobile phones, four laptops, three computer sets, one router, one modem, one iPad, one tablet, and various currencies amounting to RM3,855.00, USD1,000, Euro 200, and South Korean Won 13,000.
"Local suspects were released on police bail on December 10, 2023, while foreign suspects remain under detention until December 24, 2023, under the Immigration Act 1959," he added.
He said the case is under investigation for offences related to the Immigration Act 1959, Section 420/511 of the Penal Code, and Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959.
Updating on the latest developments of online gambling, Ramli said the police has arrested seven individuals at a premises in Seri Kembangan.
Ramli said one of them acted as a supervisor, while the other six individuals served as customer service officers. Initial investigations revealed that the syndicate conducted online gambling activities, targeting residents of Singapore as their victims.
He said that the website https://ovtab99.com was used to promote these gambling activities.
"During the operation, authorities seized seven computer sets, 25 mobile phones, one router, one house key, nine ATM cards, and six SIM cards.
"All suspects and seized items were handed over to the Investigating Officer of the Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation under Section 4B(a) of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953," he said.