Eight luxury vehicles estimated to be worth around RM6 million were seized by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). All vehicles are owned by individuals who are allegedly involved in tobacco, alcohol and cigarette smuggling syndicates.
The vehicles consisted of two Lamborghinis, two Toyotas, and one Lexus, Mercedes, BMW, and Volvo each.
The vehicles were seized in a special operation around the Klang Valley carried out by MACC’s Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Division, since last Monday in collaboration with the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) and Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM).
“The vehicles were seized from several individuals who held positions as company owners as well as middlemen who bribed officials in an enforcement agency,” according to MACC sources.
The syndicate is suspected of money laundering by using licensed money lending companies, money changers, and ‘ghost company’ business accounts.
The syndicate’s smuggling activities are believed to have caused the loss of tax revenue estimated at more than RM400 million.
They are also suspected of giving more than RM8 million in bribes to several individuals including civil servants to launch smuggling activities.
MACC AML Director, Datuk Mohamad Zamri Zainul Abidin confirmed the seizure of the vehicles and the arrested individuals were investigated under Section 17(a) and Section 17(b) of the MACC Act 2009.
