Malay Indian conman rips off 40 firms

Kuala Lumpur, July 16 (ANI): A Malay Indian man, claiming to have connections with high-profile figures in India, has allegedly conned over 40 local companies with offers of contracts for large-scale government projects.

According to The Star and the Tamil Nesan daily, 56-year-old Baladevan, allegedly raked in over RM5mil from his victims over a period of ten years.

Baladevan claimed to have a close relationship with high-profile figures from India's Ministry of Railways, Railway Board and the main contractor Ircon International Limited.

Consumers Association of Subang and Shah Alam president Jacob George highlighted the matter to the media after investigating the matter when two companies, in which he was legal advisor, had fallen victim to the scam.

He said the man's modus operandi was to approach companies and individuals proposing deals to be sub-contractors for the project.

The man would then provide detailed designs and specifications and would collect RM 300,000 to RM400, 000 to lobby for the contract.

He claimed the man had used a RM2 company called Zen Bridge Sdn Bhd in several of his dubious transactions, adding that he claimed to be a relative of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi through marriage.

Jacob said he had notified Indian government officials, but was yet to receive a satisfactory reply. (ANI)