“There were four different types of currencies,” she told a media conference today.
“Of the RM90,000 seized, I had Euros, RM300 in ringgit, US$20,000 and 10,000 Renminbi. These were just for my personal use,” she said.
At a press conference, Lai confirmed that 16 of the company’s premises had been raided by the domestic trade and consumer affairs ministry earlier this week.
She said the money was her personal money and not that of the company.
When pressed further, she said, “I am the company”, to rounds of laughter from those present.
MonSpace is being investigated for allegedly running an illegal investment scheme.
Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) previously revealed that MonSpace was registered as a Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) business.
Authorities have since frozen 72 accounts from MonSpace’s Ipoh and Klang Valley premises. Lai has also reportedly been barred from travelling abroad.
Asked to confirm if all the bank accounts had been frozen, Lai said she had yet to check, but that all 15 bank accounts of their Bukit Jalil headquarters had been frozen.
Lai said she had yet to check with the Immigration Department on her blacklist status.
But she was confident business would go on as usual as, she said, she had not received any complaints from her customers or shareholders.
“They are like family, they understand what we are going through and want to help us.”
MonSpace and Lai first made headlines in 2016 when an airlines group linked to the company was found operating a commercial flight without a valid air service permit. The group was later fined RM380,000 after pleading guilty to the offence.
Last year, 70 Chinese nationals lodged police reports on a “misleading” investment scheme run by MonSpace. DAP MPs at the time had voiced concern over MonSpace and the supposed scheme.
MonSpace is listed in BNM’s Financial Consumer Alert watch list because of these incidents. The list includes websites and companies neither authorised nor approved under relevant laws and regulations.
Lai confirmed that the company was still on BNM’s watch list.
The current investigation into MonSpace is being done under Section 27B of the Direct Sales and Anti-Pyramid Scheme 1993 and the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.
Apart from the domestic trade and consumer affairs ministry, officials from BNM, the Attorney-General’s Chambers and the Companies Commission of Malaysia are also involved in the investigation.
Chinese investors fail to meet MonSpace founder, lodge police reports