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#NSTnation The graft-busters' covert operation, code named Op Tropicana, was held simultaneously at 24 premises in Klang Valley and Penang without the involvement of the police.#MACC #Scam #Investment #Syndicate https://t.co/klBkQG6cZh

— New Straits Times (@NST_Online) February 21, 2023

MACC bust investment scam ring

By Aliza Shah – February 22, 2023 @ 7:31am

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) yesterday smashed an international investment scam syndicate, which had raked in a whopping RM200 million from victims in Australia and the United Kingdom.

The graft-busters’ covert operation, code named Op Tropicana, was held simultaneously at 24 premises in Klang Valley and Penang without the involvement of the police.

MACC said the syndicate had bribed the authorities to enable their operations to continue unhindered since 2019.

The syndicate had lured victims to park money in non-existent investment portfolios. It had set up 24 companies which were used to temporarily park money transferred by victims abroad, before the money was channelled to other bank accounts overseas.
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MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said the syndicate was believed to have bribed the authorities to take care of the safety of its members and enable it to operate its centres unimpeded.

The syndicate, he said, consisted of Australians, Britons, South Africans and Filipinos.

“The syndicate found their victims by posting advertisements regarding non-existent investment companies on social media.

“Once a victim registered for the investment, the syndicate would give them a call to convince them to invest.

“The syndicate is believed to have raked in approximately RM200 million since 2019.”

A total of 74 bank accounts belonging to individuals and companies have since been frozen, with an estimated value of RM11 million.

Azam said the multi-agency operation was conducted with collaboration from the Immigration Department, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, CyberSecurity Malaysia, Telekom Malaysia, the Malaysian Companies Commission, Tenaga Nasional Bhd and the Inland Revenue Board.

A total of 164 officers from various agencies were involved in the operation.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/crime-courts/2023/02/882330/macc-bust-investment-scam-ring

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#NSTnation The NST learnt that at least 20 employees of the banks – including auditors and frontline officers, had facilitated such syndicates to open accounts without any hassle.#MACC #OpTropicana #Assets #Syndicate #Scam https://t.co/loQLCFmL99

— New Straits Times (@NST_Online) March 18, 2023

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https://t.co/DgjnxKqaMi

— John W. (@johnwSEAP) March 9, 2023

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Op Tropicana: Dua lelaki warga UK dipenjara 6 bulan, denda RM100,000 https://t.co/mLodZYpABi

— Buletin TV3 (@BuletinTV3) March 17, 2023

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Warga negara United Kingdom, Andrew Mark Peters (berkerusi roda) dan Darren Anthony Mcnicholas diiringi oleh anggota Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia (SPRM) untuk didakwa berhubung Op Tropicana di Mahkamah Sesyen Shah Alam pada Khamis. – Foto Asril Aswandi Shukor pic.twitter.com/6ewlHJQGz8

— SinarHarian (@SinarOnline) March 16, 2023

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“In an astonishing twist, the gang was said to have been able to operate for years by bribing local police officers to turn a blind eye.

The op. code-named Tropicana was led by the MACC & the elite Special Tactical Force from their immigration dept.” https://t.co/V95y7id66f

— 🇲🇾 | debo-nair ناءير നായർ (@orangasle) March 6, 2023

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Scammer 'berani mati', nekad terjun dari tingkat 14 demi selamatkan diri #SPRM #MACC #OpTropicana #Scammer #Sindiket pic.twitter.com/3EpF7wg7gp

— SinarHarian (@SinarOnline) February 22, 2023

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#NSTnation The graft-busters' covert operation, code named Op Tropicana, was held simultaneously at 24 premises in Klang Valley and Penang without the involvement of the police.#MACC #Scam #Investment #Syndicate https://t.co/klBkQG6cZh

— New Straits Times (@NST_Online) February 21, 2023

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