In Malaysia, the Macau Scam has cheated countless of innocent Malaysians out of their life savings or earnings.
And recently, the scam made headlines after the Royal Malaysia Police force (PDRM) nabbed those who are allegedly behind this notorious scam.
Who?
While everyone kinda knows who the Datuk and Datin husband and wife duo involved, most mainstream media have not named them because they have not been formally charged in court.
They were only remanded in relation to the case.
News of the scam made headlines again recently after Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) called in local celebrities Shuib and Siti Sarah for questioning about their involvement in a money laundering scheme.
The case was purportedly linked to the couple's drink shop called Bubblebee which the couple had sold the franchising rights to a third party.
That third party is linked to the Macau Scam Datuk and Datin.
We know, what a complicated web right!
Anyway, fast forward to a few days later, officials from the MACC said that they have a list of celebrities who received funding from the scheme and urged them to come forward become they (the MACC) themselves came for them.
But it's not only celebrities that are entangled in this scam.
According to the Malay Mail, five police officers of various rankings and eight government officials who were protecting the syndicate have been detained too.
Some of them were allegedly 'protecting' the Datuk's illegal business.
Officials believe that more high-ranking individuals and those with titles are also involved in the scheme.
How?
By now, most of you may know the modus operandi for the Macau Scam.
What happens is that you will receive a call from a person claiming to be from Bukit Aman, MACC, or even the high court, telling you that you’re involved in a case, which involves a large sum of money.
In order to clear your name and also carry out the investigation, the person will tell you to transfer a sum of money to their account without telling anyone.
To make it sound convincing, they’ll even use the legitimate number from the said court or station using some sort of masking technique and pass the call around to fake officials to make it seem even more authentic.
Once the scammers have the money, they will try to ‘clean’ the money through legal businesses even if it means using someone popular like a public figure or celebrity.
What?
According to the New Straits Times, the MACC has frozen 730 bank accounts with over RM80 million in relation to the Macau Scam.
RM5 million in cash was also seized alongside 23 luxury cars and they include brands such as Bentley, Ferrari, Rolls Royce and some high-powered motorcycles.
In another report from Harian Metro, MACC found RM100,000 in cash at one of the policemen’s home believed to be linked to the money laundering scheme.
Additionally, police are also investigating if all the parties involved received any form of payment or incentive from the Datuk who was arrested recently.
Honestly, there is so much corruption, cheating and black money involved with the whole Macau Scam and we really hope that the officials from the MACC get to the bottom of things soon.
Don't just go for the small fish, get the people at the top.
We'll keep a close one on the developments of this case you guys and we'll update you from time to time.