Over the past months, the Main Department for Combating Cybercrime (MDCC) of the Ministry of Internal Affairs has received numerous complaints regarding the misappropriation of citizens' funds through the online financial fraud pyramid scheme "Any Unboxing," which operated in the country's virtual space based on a Ponzi scheme, APA reports, citing the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
The investigation established that the individuals who organized and managed the pyramid scheme recruited citizens through online groups. Those who joined the scheme were sold virtual boxes for various amounts of money. They were falsely promised that they would earn income by opening these boxes every day. Although the virtual funds allegedly earned by participants during the process were displayed in profile accounts created for them within the "Any Unboxing" application, it was impossible to withdraw these funds because the claimed earnings had no real economic basis. In addition, people who recruited new members to the platform were promised various bonuses. More than 300 citizens were drawn into the "Any Unboxing" online fraud pyramid through this scheme, with each of them suffering financial losses of varying amounts.
Operational and technical measures established that the pyramid scheme was organized in the country by two Malaysian citizens, 38-year-old Lee Kai Fatt and 34-year-old Ravi Sivadass. It was also established that 34-year-old Arzu Musayeva and 30-year-old Sabuhi Mammadov were responsible for promoting the illegal activity among the public and recruiting new participants into the pyramid scheme. As a continuation of the operation, Ravi Sivadass, Arzu Musayeva and Sabuhi Mammadov were detained. An international search has been launched to apprehend the other suspect.
The preliminary investigation established that the victims suffered financial damage totaling nearly AZN 2.5 million. During the investigation, it cannot be ruled out that the number of victims and the amount of financial damage caused to them will increase.
A criminal case has been initiated by the Main Department under the relevant articles of the Criminal Code. Ravi Sivadass, Arzu Musayeva and Sabuhi Mammadov have been involved in the investigation as accused persons.
The investigation is ongoing.
"We once again call on citizens not to believe pyramid fraud schemes they encounter on online platforms that have no economic basis, as well as online applications such as 'Any Unboxing' that promise fake earnings," the Ministry of Internal Affairs said.
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