Latest news with #HasbullahAli
Free Malaysia Today
19-06-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
Ustaz used influence to dupe elderly pilgrims, say cops
Bukit Aman commercial crime investigation department acting director Hasbullah Ali said 22 reports have been filed by family members of the victims. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : A man who allegedly duped 47 elderly Muslims into purchasing 'independent' haj packages had used his influence as an ustaz and owner of a madrasah to 'scam' the victims, police said today. Bukit Aman commercial crime investigation department acting director Hasbullah Ali said an investigation showed that the suspect, 59, directly received the payments for the packages through the madrasah's bank account. The ustaz who was arrested with another 58-year-old man recently, had offered haj packages that did not involve local tour agencies, Harian Metro reported. The ustaz was arrested at KLIA while the other man, who had served as a guide for the pilgrims, was arrested at the Nilai police headquarters. 'A total of 22 police reports have been filed by family members of the victims. Nine of the pilgrims have given their statements so far,' Hasbullah said. It was reported that the 47 elderly victims had purchased the haj package before being forced to go through dangerous passages on foot, and without their passports, to get to Mecca.
Malaysiakini
30-05-2025
- Malaysiakini
Saifuddin's WhatsApp hacked using foreign VPN: Police
Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail's WhatsApp account was hacked using a foreign virtual private network (VPN). Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) acting director Hasbullah Ali said that after accessing the minister's WhatsApp, the suspect sent his URLs to all his contacts on the app.
Free Malaysia Today
30-05-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
RM3.8bil in assets seized in MBI investment scam probe
Bukit Aman commercial crime investigation department acting director Hasbullah Ali said the latest seizures followed the arrest of three individuals in Penang and Kuala Lumpur earlier this month. (Bernama pic) KUALA LUMPUR : Police have seized and frozen additional assets worth RM527.5 million linked to the MBI International Group investment scam, raising the total value of seized assets in the case to RM3.8 billion. Bukit Aman commercial crime investigation department (CCID) acting director Hasbullah Ali said the latest seizures followed the arrest of three individuals in Penang and Kuala Lumpur earlier this month, one of whom is a businessman with a 'Tan Sri' title. 'Among the seized assets are 477 properties valued at approximately RM150 million, four condominium units worth RM12 million, as well as four luxury yachts and three passenger boats worth RM36.3 million,' Hasbullah said at a press conference at Menara KPJ here today. He added that 37 bank accounts containing RM328 million were frozen. Other confiscated items include three luxury vehicles worth RM637,000, RM283,070 in cash, and various watches, jewellery, mobile phones and documents. According to Hasbullah, five business entities tied to the scam have also been seized, including a durian plantation company, a property developer, and a hotel operator. He said more arrests and asset seizures are expected as investigations are still ongoing. When asked if any politicians were involved, Hasbullah said investigations have not found any evidence of a political connection, as yet. The latest development is part of Op Northern Star, a major police operation targeting financial syndicates operating in the Klang Valley and northern Peninsular Malaysia. To date, 17 individuals have been arrested and 988 bank accounts frozen under the operation. All suspects are believed to be linked to a cross-border Ponzi-style investment scheme operated by MBI group. Scam call centres busted Hasbullah also said two phone scam syndicates targeting Japanese nationals were busted in Kajang and Cheras on May 13. Devices worth RM25,000 were seized during the raids. In Kajang, six Japanese nationals and two Chinese men were arrested at a three-storey bungalow used as a call centre. The syndicate, which had been active for about two months, used spoofed calls through the Bria Mobile app to impersonate Osaka police officers and trick victims into transferring money. Two Chinese suspects were charged on May 22, while the six Japanese suspects are expected to be charged on June 3. In Cheras, 11 individuals — seven Japanese and three Taiwanese — were arrested during raids at two condominium units. Police seized laptops, mobile phones, fake police uniforms, and documents worth RM20,000. The syndicate used apps such as Got Further and Swapface to impersonate law enforcement and extort cryptocurrency from victims. Three Taiwanese suspects were charged on May 16, while the remaining eight individuals have been listed as prosecution witnesses. In a separate case, Hasbullah said a special task force has been established and will be based at KLIA to combat haj package fraud during the pilgrimage season. Hasbullah noted that while the number of cases has dropped from 11 in 2023 to four in 2024, the total losses increased to RM874,100. One case reported this year involved losses amounting to RM71,000.
Free Malaysia Today
23-05-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
Bukit Aman forms task force to tackle stranded pilgrims issue
Bukit Aman commercial CID acting director Hasbullah Ali advised prospective pilgrims to thoroughly check the haj packages offered to avoid falling victim to fraud. (Bernama pic) KUALA LUMPUR : Federal police will establish a special task force, along with the tourism, arts and culture ministry and Tabung Haji, to address the issue of pilgrims stranded during this haj season. Bukit Aman commercial crime investigation department acting director Hasbullah Ali said the task force would ensure every complaint related to stranded haj pilgrims is handled efficiently and effectively. He said the task force would begin operations at 8am on May 30 and operate around the clock. Hasbullah said the task force operations centre would be located at the One Stop Centre Meeting Room, Level 2, Block B Parking, Main Terminal, KLIA. 'This special team will coordinate investigations, manage documentation, and take legal action against individuals or company owners suspected of involvement in fraudulent haj offers,' he said in a statement today. He added that the police, tourism, arts and culture ministry and TH each had their own jurisdictions and legal authority in addressing various types of haj-related fraud and any action taken would be based on existing laws. As a preventive measure, he advised prospective pilgrims to thoroughly check the haj packages offered and ensure the companies involved were registered with TH to avoid falling victim to fraud.
Malay Mail
18-05-2025
- Malay Mail
Scam ad promising to recover scam money is a scam itself, PDRM warn
KUALA LUMPUR, May 18 — The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) has dismissed claims of involvement in a Facebook advertisement promising to recover money lost to fraud. Acting director of Bukit Aman's Commercial Crime Investigation Department (JSJK) Datuk Seri Hasbullah Ali confirmed the police had detected a post on the social media platform using the PDRM logo, along with the terms 'Royal Malaysia Police' and 'Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID)'. 'Our department has no affiliation with this advertisement, and the service being promoted is a fraudulent attempt,' he said in a statement yesterday. He urged the public to exercise caution and avoid such scams. — Bernama
