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## Overview An alleged Malaysian scammer reportedly vanished with close to 100 billion ringgit (approximately US$25 billion), leaving hundreds of victims financially devastated (SCMP, April 2026). ## Details The scheme reportedly operated for more than three years, offering victims steady gains, smooth withdrawals, and returns of up to 5 per cent every fortnight (SCMP, April 2026). Encouraged by early payouts, many victims reportedly reinvested larger sums of their savings, viewing the scheme as a path to a comfortable retirement (SCMP, April 2026). The scheme reportedly collapsed abruptly, wiping out victims' investments across the globe (SCMP, April 2026). ## Why It Matters If confirmed, this would rank among the largest alleged investment fraud schemes globally, comparable in scale to major historical Ponzi schemes. The case raises questions about financial regulatory oversight in Malaysia and Southeast Asia, cross-border victim exposure, and potential asset recovery litigation. Given the scale of losses (US$25 billion alleged), this story is likely to generate extensive follow-on coverage including regulatory investigations, extradition proceedings if the alleged perpetrator is identified/located, and civil recovery actions. ## Key Facts - Alleged losses: ~100 billion ringgit (~US$25 billion) (SCMP, April 2026) - Duration: reportedly more than three years (SCMP, April 2026) - Victims: hundreds, spanning global reach (SCMP, April 2026) - Status: alleged perpetrator reportedly vanished (SCMP, April 2026)