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Crazy Rich Malaysians? ‘Macau scam’ suspects flaunt wealth after arrest
The couple arrested for allegedly cheating Malaysians millions of ringgit flaunted their wealth online after they were released by police yesterday.
Bubble tea business owners Alya Syuhaila and Addy Kana were released from a two-day remand assisting police investigations after Sunday’s arrest. Addy, 35, then posted a photo of a large stack of cash while questioning why people were still seeking donations from him despite believing that they came from dubious sources.
“If you already know that my money comes from suspicious means, why do you still dare ask for it?” he wrote online. Alya said that the arrest had amounted to “slander” and blocked people from commenting on her social media accounts.
Reports of the so-called “Macau scam,” which was originally believed to have links with the Chinese special administrative region, first emerged three years ago and had involved coercing victims into transferring money to people contacting them through phone and impersonating as bank officers, police, or debt collectors.
Police did not reveal the status of its investigations after releasing Alya and Addy. On the morning of Sunday’s arrest, Addy posted a video of a lavish birthday party that took place in 2019, complete with champagne showers, costumed attendees, and horrible dancing.
“See my level? I’m dancing because I worked hard scamming old people’s money, and young people’s savings,” the post said.
Victims of the Macau scam were usually told that they had owed money or had an overdue fine and were required to pay within the hour. The scheme had also made use of other people’s bank accounts to receive payments.
The crime’s earliest known victims were located in Macau. Public records show that victims have lost more than RM400 million (about US$96 million) to the “telecommunication fraud.”
Addy and Alya own Bubble Bee and run three bubble tea outlets in Kuala Lumpur. The couple has been photographed with celebrities such as radio host Shuib Sepahtu and television actress Fara Mendoza.
