KUALA LUMPUR – Four police investigation papers into Emraz Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd over its alleged involvement in umrah package fraud amounting to millions of ringgit have been classified as no further action (NFA) by the deputy public prosecutor’s (DPP) office.
Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department director Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf said a total of 25 investigation papers were opened to probe the supposed scams.
Besides the four NFAs, Ramli said the DPP had “given the excuse” that the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry had already taken action against one of the investigation papers based on a report in Sibu, Sarawak.
“For the case in Miri, the victim had withdrawn his report after they received a refund, while the investigations for reports in Tanah Merah and Putrajaya have been classified as civil cases and referred to the Tribunal for Consumer Claims,” Ramli told Scoop.
He added that charges will be brought against two Emraz Travel & Tours directors under Section 137 of the Financial Services Act 2013 for the acceptance of deposits without a licence.
“The next step will be to complete the charge sheet and issue a subpoena to the complainant, suspects and witnesses to show up in court, following which they (directors) will be charged.”
Besides that, Ramli said that from last year to date, police have received a total of 403 reports on the company’s alleged fraud, amounting to RM14.6 million in losses for consumers.
On January 15, the company’s director, Datuk Zulkarnain Endut, 43, and his wife, Datin Mazuin Mustafa, 43, claimed trial for 63 charges of failing to cough up RM589,031 to 21 fraud victims, as ordered by the tribunal.
The charges were framed under Section 117(1) of the Consumer Protection Act 1999 for failure to comply with an award made by the tribunal. If found guilty, the pair is liable to a fine not exceeding RM5,000, imprisonment for up to two years, or both. – January 20, 2024