KUALA LUMPUR: Two men, who were among those detained by graft busters recently for money laundering, are not involved in scams or Macau Scams in the country.
Bukit Aman CID director Comm Datuk Huzir Mohamed said both men were believed to be coordinators or agents providing lodgings and call centres for China nationals hired by scam cartels in China.
“The call centres, which operated from luxury residences and offices, are equipped with computers and telecommunication devices.
“They conduct daily operations targeting China citizens for online gambling, foreign exchange (forex) scams as well as other forms of scams,” he said when contacted by The Star on Tuesday (Oct 20).
Claims by certain parties that the two men detained by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) recently were connected to online scams in Malaysia are not correct at all, he added.
“Scams in the country are conducted by other syndicates,” he said.
Comm Huzir said the two men were known as Addy Kanna and Goh Leong Yeong, also known as Alvin.
“Allegations that Addy Kanna would be released are not true as he has since been detained under the Prevention of Crime Act (Poca).
“We are still tracking down Alvin who fled from the MACC headquarters on Oct 11.
“Both men have nothing to do with scams or Macau Scams in this country,” he added.
Comm Huzir was commenting on a viral video, purportedly of a victim and an online scammer.
The scammer was allegedly connected to a syndicate involving a man, known only as Addy Kanna. The man was detained by graft busters two weeks ago in connection with laundering proceeds of Macau Scams and online gambling.
The scammer even hinted that Addy Kanna would be freed easily due to his connections with political leaders while claiming that the scams generated millions of ringgit for the cartel as victims were not vigilant.
Comm Huzir rubbished the video.
“We will reveal more facts on the illegal activities of the two men soon to set the record straight and to ensure that Malaysians get the right facts,” he said.
Comm Huzir had previously said that cops were looking for the man who fled after being released by MACC on Oct 11.
He had said the last known address of Goh Leong Yeong, 32, was at a condominium in Jalan Cheras
“The suspect is wanted for three online gambling cases in Cheras.
“We believe he is behind the illegal online gambling racket in Kuala Lumpur and Cheras,” he had said.
He had escaped shortly after he was released by the MACC on bail, Comm Huzir said.
Comm Huzir urged anyone with information to contact Cheras CID chief Deputy Supt Ahmad Zamri Jai at 012-899 3622 or the investigating officer Insp Muhamad Faizal Asuar at 017-312 6411 or the nearest police station.
“The cooperation of the public is much appreciated,” he said.
On a related matter, Comm Huzir said three other men have been detained under Section 4(1)(a) of the Prevention of Crime Act (POCA) from Oct 14 until Nov 3.
“They were detained for allegedly being involved in hosting online gambling in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor.
“They were detained right after they were released by the MACC recently.
“They were earlier detained by the MACC due to their involvement in Macau Scams,” he added. -The Star