Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng has called for a thorough investigation of the “mastermind” behind the Bookcoin get-rich-quick scheme which reportedly duped its victims of millions of ringgit. Lim alleged the actual mastermind of the scheme was the chief executive officer (CEO) of a Bursa Malaysia-listed company, and not two businessmen with “Datuk Seri” and “Datuk” titles who were detained by police in August.
“There have been eight police reports so far made against this Datuk Seri who is the CEO of a Bursa-listed company. I will be writing a letter to Bukit Aman, Bank Negara and Bursa Malaysia to conduct an investigation into this Bookcoin scam,” he told reporters at his Segambut service centre today.
Lim asked why the police had not contacted the alleged mastermind after several police reports were already made against him. He pointed out that an individual lodged a police report in May this year claiming to have been cheated after making an investment worth RM29 million from May to October 2016.
“He had deposited the money into seven different accounts, one of which belonged to the Bursa-listed company headed by the Datuk Seri as CEO. “The victim was promised a 1% return from his investment every day and shares eventually. However, he was given 24 cheques which all bounced,” said Lim.
He said that after the victim lodged the police report, the “mastermind” also made one in the same month through his lawyer countering the allegations of the victim and claiming innocence.
In a twist to the case, the victim who lodged the first police report was now being investigated by the police, who questioned where he received his money from.
“The victim came to us and told us the police now want to investigate him when he is the victim here. He told us that the money belonged to him and other investors,” he said.
In a further complication, the CEO of Bookcoin then lodged a police report as well, after news spread of the two businessmen being detained.
Lim said the CEO of the get-rich-quick scheme claimed to be innocent and was only asked to be the CEO of the company by the “mastermind” behind it all.
In August, Selangor police chief Mazlan Mansor said the two suspects, in their 40s, were picked up about 11am during a raid on two luxury houses in the vicinity of Desa Park City, Kuala Lumpur.
According to him, the arrests were the result of four police reports in relation to the investment scheme which had been active since mid-2016.
“Police investigations revealed that victims were duped into investing in the Bookcoin scheme after they were guaranteed returns of 1% per day and up to 30% per month from the amount invested. The investment scheme offered three packages, namely US$10,000 (gold package), US$1,000 (silver package) and US$100 (bronze package). Those who had invested between RM100,000 and RM500,000 did not receive the returns as promised,” he said.
Mazlan said during the raid, the police seized foreign currencies totalling RM1.06 million, and 17 watches, two mobile phones, 35 designer handbags, laptop, 26 cheque books, 16 silver bars, a Porsche Macan and a Toyota Vellfire, all worth RM1.05 million.
He said preliminary investigations showed some 200 individuals in the Klang Valley had invested in the scheme but only four victims lodged police reports.
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