Wednesday, Nov 21, 2012
PETALING JAYA, Malaysia - A Malaysian is wanted in the Philippines after his company allegedly scammed some 12 billion pesos (S$357 million) from about 15,000 people.
The Philippines' National Bureau of Investigation believes that the 32-year-old man might have fled to Sabah after the pyramid scam came to light.
A source in Bukit Aman said the authorities there had sent a formal request under the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act 2002 to the Foreign Ministry on Saturday, re-questing means to investigate the founder and CEO of the company.
"The Philippines government has no extradition or mutual legal assistance treaties with Malaysia. Both the Foreign Ministries must sit down and discuss the matter," he said.
The source said that although the Philippines government had provided the CEO's name, local police still needed to confirm if he was indeed a Malaysian. "Until we are entirely certain, discussions between both countries may have to wait."
News reports from the Philippines had stated that the Justice Depart-ment was expected to file criminal charges against the company and its officers this week.
