Chinese Embassy in Malaysia warns citizens of online pyramid scam
The Chinese Embassy in Malaysia has warned its citizens not to engage in street protests following complaints from 100 Chinese nationals of being cheated through a Malaysian online pyramid scheme.
Chinese nationals stage a demonstration outside a building in Kuala Lumpur, claiming they has lost their life savings to a local investment company named MBI Group International. (Photo: scmp.com)
Kuala Lumpur(VNA) – The Chinese Embassy in Malaysia has warned its citizens not to engagein street protests following complaints from 100 Chinese nationals of beingcheated through a Malaysian online pyramid scheme.
The embassy said in astatement that it had attempted to help by recommending Malaysia-based lawyersand holding legal consultation sessions. It also urged Malaysian police to paygreater attention to the case and launch investigations as soon as possible.
In another statement, theChinese Embassy warned the Chinese nationals, who are on a tourist visa, not todemonstrate as it is illegal in Malaysia.
The statement was issuedfollowing reports that many Chinese had staged a demonstration outside abuilding in Kuala Lumpur, claiming they had lost their life savings to a localinvestment company named MBI Group International, and demanding the companyreturn their money.
Senior Assistant Commissioner Adlan Ahmad, theprincipal assistant director at the Royal Malaysia Police's Commercial CrimeInvestigation Department, said his department had not received any report fromthe Chinese MBI protesters yet.
Last year, Teddy Teow Wooi Huat – founder of MBI International and its subsidiaryMface International – were charged in court with various offences including issuing electronicpayments unrecognised by Malaysia's central bank, promoting pyramid schemes,and involvement in money laundering.
Although he initially pled notguilty, Teow later changed his plea and was fined 3 million MYR (715,000 USD). In 2011, he was slapped with a 160,000 MYR fine for misleading investors./.
Younger generations are spending a greater proportion of their lives online, but they are not the only ones as people aged over 55 are also becoming more digital.
Malaysian police said on September 28 that up to 93 Chinese citizens and six Malaysians have been detained on suspicion of being involved in swindling money from people in China through a telephone scam.
Philippine police on September 13 said they had arrested more than 270 Chinese nationals in a raid against a gang wanted for their role in a vast investment fraud that cost victims in China millions of US dollars.
Philippines immigration agents, backed by troops, have arrested 324 Chinese nationals for alleged cybercrimes during a raid in Puerto Princesa City on Palawan island, according to the Bureau of Immigration.
Malaysia, as ASEAN 2025 Chair, marked the bloc’s 58th founding anniversary on August 8 with a vibrant celebration in Cyberjaya, blending an official ceremony with a colorful cultural festival.
Vietnam plays an important role in Southeast Asia’s economic growth and is a key partner of her country in realising the shared vision of a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region, said Robyn Mudie, First Assistant Secretary of Office of Southeast Asia (OSA) – Southeast Asia Regional and Mainland Division at Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
The 2025 ASEAN Business Community Development (ABCD) Forum, themed “Empowering ASEAN's Next Leap: Digital, Sustainable & Entrepreneurial Transformation” brought together ministers, CEOs, and top industry experts to discuss key regional economic priorities.
The DES Ministry will seek cooperation from social media platforms to prevent the spread of fake news and monitor accounts related to such activities, he told reporters after chairing a meeting of the newly established Anti-Fake News Centre (AFNC).
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking identified the US tariff reduction as a significant driver behind the improved economic outlook for Thailand.
Financial institutions and financial technology (fintech) players are intensifying their focus on expanding across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), adopting tailored strategies to strengthen their presence in the region’s digital financial services landscape.
Featuring a permanent exhibition area, the ASEAN Hall will function both as a cultural showcase and as a dynamic venue for ASEAN-related events and programmes. Its inauguration on ASEAN Day added symbolic weight, marking a fresh milestone in ASEAN–RoK relations.
Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce and rice exporters are devising strategic plans to boost rice exports amid global market fluctuations, focusing on key markets and adjusting output.
The focus of the upcoming ASEAN Summit in October will be on strengthening economic relations through intra-regional trade and investment, as well as regional initiatives on energy networks and connectivity.
Indonesian Ambassador Rina P. Soemarno, who currently serves as Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Prague, emphasised the spirit of regional solidarity and cooperation, and the importance of enhancing ASEAN–Czech Republic relations.
The Indonesian Government is determined to seize opportunities to enhance the competitiveness of national agricultural products, an official has said, adding that it always strives to promote exports at the highest possible level, based on a mutually beneficial foundation.
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira has outlined a six-point strategy to promote innovation, support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and push for Thailand's removal from the US Trade Representative (USTR)’s special 301 Watch List regarding intellectual property rights protection among trading partners.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Ly Duc Trung emphasised ASEAN’s central role in regional mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS), highlighting its significant contribution to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia.
The consumer index of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), fell to 51.7 in July from 52.7 in the previous month. The sluggish economy and the trade war, as well as high living costs, continue to undermine confidence, the university said.
Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly Istvan Jakab expressed his hope for further deepening Hungary’s ties with ASEAN countries and called for their support for Hungary’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
The 30-storey tower crumbled seconds after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit neighbouring Myanmar on March 28. The partially built high-rise, meant to house the State Audit Office (SAO), was the only building in Thailand to collapse, killing 89 people on the site, mostly construction workers.
Indonesia’s waste generation is projected to exceed 50 million tonnes in 2025. Of the total, more than 20 million tonnes could potentially enter the ocean through rivers, coastal areas, small islands, ports, and marine activities, and thereby, pose a risk to coastal ecosystems and marine biota.
Indonesia is accelerating plans to increase lithium imports, particularly from Australia, in a bid to fill gaps in the electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain and realise its ambition of becoming a global EV manufacturing hub.
Malaysia’s gross expenditure on R&D (GERD) reached 1.01% of gross domestic product in 2022, a notable increase, with more than 51% contributed by the industry sector. The country is targeting GERD to reach 2.5% by 2030, in line with the national goal of transforming into a high-technology nation.