<font color="DC143C">Do Not Invest in Illegal Internet Investment Schemes!!</font>

These Q&A was extracted from Securities Commission of Malaysia website.
Frequently Asked Questions!
Questions are coloured in RED & Answers are coloured in GREEN.

Following the recent announcement by the Securities Commission ("SC") that it would start blocking access to illegal investment websites commencing 11 June 2007, the SC has received more than 340 public enquiries on the matter over three working days. As a general guide to the public, the SC today issued a set of frequently-asked-questions covering various facets of the impending move to block illegal investment websites.

1) Why is the SC blocking access to these illegal investment websites?

The SC has issued repeated warnings to investors on the risks of investing with illegal schemes and also continuously reminded the public to only invest with licensed persons to be accorded the protection provided under the securities laws. However, despite the repeated warnings, the rising number of public enquiries and complaints, shows that the public continues to participate in such illegal investments. Therefore, the SC has to take stronger enforcement measures including preventing the public from accessing these illegal investment sites.

The SC will continue to take all measures to fight illegal investment activities in order to protect investors and the integrity of the Malaysian capital market as a whole.

2) How does the SC know that these websites are illegal?

The illegal investment websites are detected through the SC's surveillance and investigation, and information received from members of the public.

3) Which websites will be blocked? Why isn't the SC blocking access to all the websites on its list of unauthorised websites?

On 11 June, the SC will start blocking a selection of websites on its list of unauthorised websites. Blocking of websites is only one of the many steps that can be taken. It will be done in stages and is an ongoing process. The SC will continue to take all measures to fight illegal investment activities including taking enforcement action against operators and agents of illegal investment websites. The SC will determine the appropriate steps to be taken on a case-by-case basis.

4) Besides the blocking of websites, what else will the SC do?

The SC will take all measures to fight illegal investment activities including taking enforcement action against operators and agents of illegal investment websites. The SC will also continue with its investor awareness programmes.

5) If SC already knew these websites were unauthorised, why did it not close them earlier and take action?

Prior to this, the SC has been conducting nationwide educational and awareness programmes on these schemes. We have also collaborated with other local and foreign authorities to issue warnings and alerts to investors. To further deter the public from investing in such illegal schemes, a list of unauthorised websites was published on the SC website and also distributed to the public.

Despite the repeated warnings and awareness programmes, the rising number of public enquiries and complaints, shows that the public continues to participate in such illegal investments. Therefore, the SC is moving to the next stage which involves the SC taking stronger actions to stop more people from falling prey to these scams, as well as enforcement action against the perpetrators.

6) Does it mean that websites that have not been blocked on 11 June are authorised to offer investment schemes?

No, the websites that remain on the SC's list after 11 June continue to be unauthorised under the securities laws to deal in securities, provide investment advice and/or fund management services related to securities or futures. These websites will remain under the SC's surveillance. The public is advised not to make any investment with parties that are not licensed by the SC.

7) When will the SC complete its operations to block these illegal investment websites?

The SC's exercise to block access to illegal investment websites will be on a continuous basis.

8) Some operators have claimed on their websites that they are legal and are not under SC investigation. Are these claims true?

These claims are false. The SC has not clarified with any of the illegal investment website operators as to whether they are under investigation or not. If an operator is licensed, they would be listed on the list of licensed intermediaries, which is available on the SC website.

9) Although the SC says that access to illegal investment websites will be blocked starting 11 June, I am already unable to enter some websites. Why is that so?

Websites that are not accessible before 11 June 2007, may have been closed by their operators.

10) How will I get my money back if I am unable to access my account to withdraw my investments?

The public making investments via unlicensed parties are not accorded protection under the securities laws. This is why the SC has consistently been reminding the public to deal with licensed parties as they would have recourse under the securities laws. Licensed intermediaries are also required have in place a host of investor protection measures which includes the requirement to keep client's monies in a trust account.

11) Will the websites be unblocked in the future?

No, illegal investment websites will not be unblocked at any point in the future.

12) If the websites were to re-open, does it mean they have legalised their investment schemes?

If parties are not in the list of licensed intermediaries available on the SC website, they are not licensed to carry out or operate investment activities under any website(s). If you have any doubts, please check with the SC before investing.

13) Should I continue to invest with operators/agents of illegal investment websites who are able to contact me via e-mail/SMS/telephone/etc?

No, you should not. If the websites have been blocked, investors should discontinue their investments immediately. If parties are not in the list of licensed intermediaries available on the SC website, they are not licensed to carry out or operate investment activities.

14) Will I be able to access the same website from another country?

You may be able to do so, as access is only blocked within Malaysia . However, it would be unwise to continue to invest in these illegal investment schemes when investors have been duly warned by authorities that these parties are unlicensed for such investment activity. Investors are strongly advised to check on the licensing status of any investment scheme that they intend to invest in, with the relevant local or foreign authorities.

15) Would I be violating any laws if I were just an investor in an illegal investment scheme?

Yes, an investor in an illegal investment scheme may be violating the law by abetting the commission of an offence.

16) What is the penalty for promoting or abetting illegal investment activities?

A person found to be promoting or abetting any illegal investment activities may be fined up to RM1 million or liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years, or to both.

As of todate [10 July 2007], SC has blocked access to TEN (10) illegal investment websites to the Malaysian public started 11 & 22 June 2007 & 10 July 2007 & more to come - Members of the public are reminded to be wary of Internet investment scams!

11 June 2007
1) ABFund/ABBFund [www.abbfund.com] or [www.abfund.us]
2) www.cfdventure.com
3) Sweden Fund [www.swedenfund.com]
4) UeBond [www.uebond.com]
5) E-suisse Fund [www.esuissefund.com] or [www.efmf.com.pa]
6) www.ecashfinance.com
22 June 2007
7) www.danafutures.com
8) www.planet.time.net.my/KLCC/danafuture
10 July 2007
9) www.eaindex.com
10) www.winlifund.com

This exercise to block access to illegal investment websites will be done in stages and is an ongoing process, with more websites to be blocked in the following months as the SC continues its investigations.

The SC will continue to work together with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission ("MCMC") and CyberSecurity Malaysia to track, identify and block access to websites promoting investment scams. It will take all measures to fight illegal investment activities including taking enforcement action against operators and agents of illegal investment websites.

Investors who are still participating in such illegal investment schemes via the Internet are reminded to withdraw their investments and terminate their accounts immediately. Investors will not be able to enter their accounts once access to the websites is blocked.

The SC website provides a non-exhaustive, periodically-updated list of known companies and websites which are not authorised nor approved under the securities laws to deal in securities, provide investment advice and/or fund management services related to securities or futures.

Members of the public are reminded that they should only invest with parties licensed by the SC to be accorded the protection provided under the securities laws. Lists of companies and individuals licensed by the SC to engage in investment activity are also available at the SC website.

Latest news as at 10 July 2007:-

With this latest move, a total of 10 websites have been blocked thus far. This exercise is an ongoing process, with more websites to be blocked as the SC continues its investigations.

The SC warns that the same action will be taken against ‘mirror’ websites created by operators following the blocking of access to their main websites. Hence, investors who are still participating in illegal Internet investment schemes via these ‘mirror’ websites are advised to withdraw their investments immediately. Investors will not be able to access their accounts once these websites have been blocked.

Meanwhile, in a milestone enforcement action against investment scams, the SC had on 21 June 2007 obtained a worldwide Mareva injunction (Mareva) against persons involved in the Swisscash internet investment scheme, preventing them from disposing their assets in and outside of Malaysia.

The Mareva was sought by the SC following the filing of a civil suit against defendants Albert Lee Kee Sien, Kelvin Choo Mun Hoe, Amir bin Hassan, Dynamic Revolution Sdn Bhd, Swiss Mutual Fund (1948) S.A., SMF International Limited and SMF (1948) International Limited.

The Mareva, which can be viewed HERE (pdf - 418KB), restrains and prohibits the defendants from:

¤ carrying on the business of Swisscash,

¤ targeting, soliciting and/or collecting funds from the public for investments in Swisscash or any other internet investment scheme, and

¤ hosting or operating the Swisscash websites or operating any other such websites which solicit investments for Swisscash or any other internet investment scheme.

The Mareva also requires the defendants to disclose information pertaining to all their assets in and outside of Malaysia, the companies they have incorporated, and the bank accounts they operate.

The SC secured the Mareva following its investigation on the scheme under the Securities Industry Act 1983 and the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act 2001.

The SC will continue to take all measures to combat investment scams including taking appropriate enforcement action against operators and agents of illegal investment websites.

Securities Commission

**BAHASA KEBANGSAAN**

Berikutan pengumuman baru-baru ini oleh Suruhanjaya Sekuriti (SC) bahawa ia akan mula menyekat akses ke laman-laman web pelaburan tidak sah bermula 11 Jun 2007, SC telah menerima lebih dari 340 pertanyaan daripada orang ramai dalam masa tiga hari bekerja mengenai perkara tersebut. Sebagai panduan umum kepada orang ramai, pihak SC hari ini mengeluarkan satu set soalan lazim yang merangkumi pelbagai aspek mengenai langkah yang akan diambil untuk menyekat laman web pelaburan tidak sah.

1) Mengapa SC menyekat akses kepada laman web pelaburan tidak sah ini?

SC telah berulang kali mengeluarkan amaran kepada para pelabur mengenai risiko melabur dengan skim tidak sah dan juga secara berterusan mengingatkan orang ramai agar hanya melabur dengan individu yang berlesen supaya mendapat perlindungan yang disediakan di bawah undang-undang sekuriti. Namun begitu, walaupun adanya amaran berulang tersebut, bilangan pertanyaan dan aduan orang ramai yang meningkat menunjukkan bahawa mereka terus mengambil bahagian dalam pelaburan tidak sah sedemikian. Oleh yang demikian, SC telah mengambil langkah penguatkuasaan yang lebih tegas termasuk menghalang orang ramai daripada mengakses laman-laman pelaburan tidak sah ini.

SC akan terus mengambil semua langkah memerangi aktiviti pelaburan tidak sah ini untuk melindungi pelabur dan integriti pasaran modal Malaysia secara keseluruhannya.

2) Bagaimana SC mengetahui bahawa laman-laman web ini adalah tidak sah?

Laman-laman web pelaburan tidak sah tersebut dikesan melalui pemantauan dan penyiasatan SC, serta maklumat yang diterima daripada orang ramai.

3) Laman web manakah yang akan disekat? Mengapa SC tidak menyekat akses kepada semua laman web dalam senarai laman web yang tidak diberi kuasa?

Pada 11 Jun, SC akan mula menyekat sebilangan laman-laman web. Penyekatan laman web merupakan salah satu daripada banyak langkah yang boleh diambil dan SC akan menentukan mengikut kes langkah yang sesuai untuk diambil. Penyekatan laman web tersebut akan dilakukan secara berperingkat dan ia merupakan proses yang berterusan.

4) Jika SC telah pun mengetahui bahawa laman web tersebut adalah yang tidak diberi kuasa, mengapa ia tidak menutupnya sebelum ini dan mengambil tindakan? Mengapa laman-laman web ini dibenarkan untuk terus beroperasi?

Sebelum ini, SC telah mengadakan program pendidikan dan kesedaran di seluruh negara mengenai skim ini. Kami juga telah bekerjasama dengan pihak kuasa tempatan dan asing yang lain untuk mengeluarkan amaran dan peringatan kepada pelabur. Dalam usaha menghalang orang ramai untuk melabur dalam skim tidak sah sedemikian, satu senarai laman web yang tidak diberi kuasa disiarkan di laman web SC dan juga disebarkan kepada orang ramai.

5) Adakah ini bermaksud bahawa laman-laman web yang tidak disekat pada 11 Jun 2007 adalah diberi kuasa untuk menawarkan skim pelaburan mereka?

Laman web yang kekal dalam senarai SC selepas 11 Jun, terus dianggap tidak diberi kuasa di bawah undang-undang sekuriti untuk berurusan dalam sekuriti, memberikan nasihat pelaburan dan/atau perkhidmatan pengurusan dana yang berkaitan dengan sekuriti atau niaga hadapan. Orang ramai adalah dinasihatkan agar tidak membuat mana-mana pelaburan dengan pihak yang tidak dilesenkan oleh SC.

6) Bilakah SC akan menyelesaikan operasinya untuk menyekat laman web pelaburan tidak sah ini?

Usaha SC untuk menyekat akses kepada laman web pelaburan tidak sah ini akan dijalankan secara berterusan.

7) Sesetengah pengendali skim tersebut mendakwa bahawa laman web mereka adalah sah dan tidak dalam siasatan SC. Adakah dakwaan ini benar?

Dakwaan ini adalah palsu. SC tidak pernah memperjelaskan dengan mana-mana pengendali laman web pelaburan tidak sah sama ada mereka adalah di bawah siasatan atau tidak. Sekiranya seseorang pengendali itu berlesen, ia akan tersenarai dalam senarai pengantara berlesen yang boleh didapati di laman web SC.

8) Walaupun SC mengatakan bahawa akses kepada laman web pelaburan tidak sah tersebut akan disekat bermula 11 Jun, saya memang pun tidak boleh memasuki beberapa laman web. Mengapa begitu?

Laman-laman web yang tidak boleh diakses sebelum 11 Jun 2007, mungkin telah ditutup oleh pengendalinya.

9) Bagaimanakah saya boleh mendapatkan kembali wang saya sekiranya saya tidak boleh mengakses akaun saya untuk mengeluarkan pelaburan saya?

Orang ramai yang mempunyai pelaburan melalui pihak tidak berlesen adalah tidak diperuntukkan perlindungan di bawah undang-undang sekuriti. Inilah sebabnya SC secara berterusan mengingatkan orang ramai agar berurusan dengan pihak yang berlesen kerana mereka akan diberikan bantuan di bawah undang-undang sekuriti. Pengantara berlesen juga dikehendaki menyediakan langkah-langkah perlindungan pelabur yang merangkumi keperluan untuk menyimpan wang pelanggan dalam akaun amanah.

10) Adakah laman-laman web tersebut akan ditarik balik sekatan ke atasnya pada masa hadapan?

Tidak, laman web pelaburan tidak sah tidak akan ditarik balik sekatan ke atasnya pada masa hadapan.

11) Sekiranya laman-laman web tersebut dibuka semula, adakah ini bermakna mereka telah mengesahkan skim pelaburan mereka?

Sekiranya pihak tersebut tidak disenaraikan di dalam senarai pengantara berlesen yang boleh didapati di laman web SC, mereka adalah tidak berlesen untuk menjalankan atau mengendalikan aktiviti pelaburan melalui mana-mana laman web. Sekiranya tidak pasti, sila semak dengan SC sebelum membuat pelaburan.

12) Haruskah saya terus melabur dengan pengendali/ejen laman web pelaburan tidak sah yang boleh menghubungi saham melalui e-mel/SMS/telefon/dsb?

Sekiranya laman web tersebut telah disekat, pelabur hendaklah menghentikan pelaburan mereka serta merta. Sekiranya pihak tersebut tidak dalam senarai pengantara berlesen yang boleh didapati di laman web SC, mereka adalah tidak dilesenkan untuk menjalankan atau mengendalikan aktiviti pelaburan.

13) Adakah saya boleh mengakses laman web yang sama dari negara lain?

Anda mungkin boleh berbuat demikian kerana akses hanya disekat dari Malaysia. Bagaimanapun, adalah tidak bijak untuk terus melabur dalam skim pelaburan tidak sah ini apabila pelabur telah pun diberi amaran oleh pihak berkuasa bahawa pihak ini adalah tidak dilesenkan bagi aktiviti pelaburan sedemikian. Pelabur adalah dinasihatkan agar memeriksa status pelesenan mana-mana skim pelaburan yang mereka untuk melabur di dalamnya, sama ada dengan pihak berkuasa tempatan atau asing yang berkaitan.

14) Adakah saya melanggar mana-mana undang sekiranya saya hanya seorang pelabur dalam skim pelaburan tidak sah?

Ya, sebagai seorang pelabur dalam skim pelaburan tidak sah mungkin melanggar undang-undang kerana bersubahat dalam menyebabkan berlakunya satu kesalahan.

15) Apakah penalti atas kesalahan mempromosi atau bersubahat dalam aktiviti pelaburan tidak sah?

Seseorang yang didapati mempromosikan atau bersubahat dalam mana-mana aktiviti pelaburan tidak sah boleh didenda sehingga RM1 juta atau boleh dipenjarai bagi tempoh tidak melebihi 10 tahun, atau kedua-duanya sekali.

16) Selain menyekat laman web, apakah yang akan dilakukan oleh SC?

SC akan terus mengambil semua langkah bagi memerangi aktiviti pelaburan tidak sah termasuk mengambil tindakan penguatkuasaan terhadap pengendali dan ejen laman web pelaburan tidak sah. SC juga akan meneruskan program kesedaran pelaburnya.

Suruhanjaya Sekuriti ("SC") dengan kerjasama Suruhanjaya Komunikasi dan Multimedia Malaysia ("MCMC") dan CyberSecurity Malaysia (sebelum ini dikenali sebagai NISER) berkuatkuasa 11 & 22 Jun 2007 & 10 Julai 2007, telah menyekat akses kepada SEPULUH laman web yang menawarkan skim pelaburan tidak sah kepada orang ramai di Malaysia.

Sepuluh (10) laman web tersebut adalah:-

11 Jun 2007
1) ABFund/ABBFund [www.abbfund.com] or [www.abfund.us]
2) www.cfdventure.com
3) Sweden Fund [www.swedenfund.com]
4) UeBond [www.uebond.com]
5) E-suisse Fund [www.esuissefund.com] or [www.efmf.com.pa]
6) www.ecashfinance.com
22 Jun 2007
7) www.danafutures.com
8) www.planet.time.net.my/KLCC/danafuture
10 Julai 2007
9) www.eaindex.com
10) www.winlifund.com
Perkembangan Terkini Setakat 10hb Julai 2007

Dengan langkah terkini ini, sejumlah 10 laman web telah disekat setakat ini. Langkah ini merupakan proses berterusan, dan lebih banyak lagi laman web akan disekat apabila SC meneruskan siasatannya.

Pada masa yang sama, SC memberi amaran bahawa tindakan akan diambil terhadap laman web `pendua’ yang diwujudkan oleh pengendali skim berikutan penyekatan akses ke laman web utama mereka. Oleh itu, pelabur yang masih melibatkan diri dalam skim pelaburan internet tidak sah melalui laman web `pendua’ ini adalah dinasihatkan agar mengeluarkan pelaburan mereka secepat mungkin. Pelabur tidak akan boleh mengakses akaun mereka apabila laman-laman web ini disekat.

Sementara itu, dalam satu pencapaian penting berkaitan tindakan penguatkuasaan terhadap skim penipuan pelaburan, pada 21 Jun 2007 lalu, SC telah memperoleh injunksi antarabangsa Mareva (Mareva) terhadap mereka yang terlibat dalam skim pelaburan internet Swisscash, yang menghalang mereka daripada menjual harta mereka di dalam dan di luar Malaysia.

Mareva yang dipohon oleh SC adalah berikutan satu tindakan guaman sivil terhadap defendan bernama Albert Lee Kee Sien, Kelvin Choo Mun Hoe, Amir bin Hassan, Dynamic Revolution Sdn Bhd, Swiss Mutual Fund (1948) S.A., SMF International Limited dan SMF (1948) International Limited.

Mareva, yang boleh dirujuk di sini (pdf - 418KB), menyekat dan menghalang defendan daripada:

¤ Menjalankan perniagaan Swisscash,

¤ Mensasarkan, mempelawa dan/atau mengambil dana daripada orang ramai bagi pelaburan dalam Swisscash atau mana-mana skim pelaburan internet yang lain, dan

¤ Menjadi hos atau mengendalikan laman web atau mengendalikan laman web lain yang mempelawa pelaburan bagi Swisscash atau skim pelaburan internet yang lain.

Mareva juga menghendaki defendan menzahirkan maklumat yang berkaitan dengan semua asset mereka di dalam dan di luar Malaysia, syarikat yang mereka tubuhkan dan akaun bank yang melaluinya mereka beroperasi.

SC memperoleh Mareva lanjutan daripada siasatannya ke atas skim di bawah Akta Perindustrian Sekuriti 1983 dan Akta Pencegahan Pengubahan Wang Haram dan Pembiayaan Keganasan 2001.

SC akan terus mengambil semua langkah untuk memerangi skim penipuan pelaburan termasuk mengambil tindakan penguatkuasaan yang sesuai terhadap pengendali dan ejen laman web pelaburan tidak sah.

Orang ramai adalah diingatkan agar hanya melabur dengan pihak yang dilesenkan oleh SC agar diperuntukkan perlindungan disediakan di bawah undang-undang sekuriti. Senarai syarikat dan individu yang dilesenkan oleh SC untuk terlibat aktiviti pelaburan boleh didapati di laman web SC.