It seems that some of those involved in the running of Al Mabroor Agri, are in panic mode, following the article published in the Laudium Sun two weeks back (March 14).
This follows the Laudium Sun reporting that despite the fallen controversial so called Shariah investment company, Al Mabroor Agri, allegedly having irregularly ‘arranging’ the appointment of two BRP’s of their choice, the police specialised unit, the HAWKS have since shown interest in their investment scheme, probing any possible criminal activities in the operations of the scheme. The scheme which promised its about 10,000 investors, believed to be mainly Muslim, an unusual phenomenal profit of around 15% quarterly on their investments, has been described by many as an illegal ‘ponzi scheme’. However after our article was published a number of Al Mabroor investors contacted the company panicking and wanted answers as to why the HAWKS were now interested in investigating the company and the manner in which it was operating. The investors also wanted answers as to whether the company at any stage, operated in an unlawful manner. Instead of giving the investors a comprehensive response, a false and misleading post, sent out by a certain Aneesa, who is believed to be a front for certain officials of Al-Mabroor, was sent to investors, which an investor copied to the Laudium Sun. The post read, “Salaams to all investors. Hope everyone is having a spiritually uplifting Ramadaan. Admin have been inundated with messages requesting clarity on the article published in the Laudium Sun on the 14th March, re the Hawks investigation. The info we have received from AM [Al Mabroor] is that the Hawks have not made contact with them re an investigation, and that we should not give any credence to the article. We do not wish to speculate at this point, but this could merely be a scare tactic. Further to this, AM have indicated that they will soon be emailing investors a communique re the latest developments wrt [with regards to] the business rescue proceedings. Admin will share this on the groups, for the benefit of those who are not receiving emails from AM. Thank you.” The Laudium Sun then contacted Mahier Tayob of Tayfin Forensic Auditors, for a response to the post sent out by the said Aneesa. Mahier responded as follows, “Your even dated email refers, I have read the text message dated the 25th instant from a certain Aneesa, stating that your article was purportedly a scare tactic, in addition that, The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (HAWKS) have not contacted Al Mabroor Agri. I do not know in what capacity the said individual acts or whether she is operating under a pseudonym. It would be career suicide for me to falsely state that my appointment was sanctioned by the HAWKS.
I can reiterate that I am duly mandated to assist the HAWKS in the said Investigation, I also do not comment on open Investigations, however I can confirm that I have constituted an Investigative Team comprising the following disciplines:
- Attorneys
- Investigators
- Chartered Accountants
- Financial Consultants
- Psychometric Profiler
The team is composed of 12 Professionals under my direction that will investigate the allegations, in conjunction with the HAWKS. We will contact “persons of interest” in due course, at this stage we are attending to the Planning, Gathering, Verification and Analyses of the Data.
Insofar as your further queries are concerned, the roles played by the supposed Shariah Committee as well as Directors (Executive and Non-Executive) will be investigated, to determine whether the acted as enablers to the alleged scheme. We will also ascertain reasons why Attorneys Trust Accounts were used and whether cash was cleaned and re-introduced into the system, we will also determine whether brokers and inducers were canvassed to market the so-called Islamic Product in exchange for commission and/or brokerage fees. In other words, we will follow the money trail, line by line audit every transaction, recorded on or off the books.
The consequences for those who knowingly participated are dire, the investors will know their financial fate at the conclusion of the Investigation. We aim to determine, whether fraud was allegedly committed, how the alleged scheme operated, by whom, the value thereof, the beneficiaries, the victims, the winners, the losers, and the enablers.
Insofar as professionals are concerned (Attorneys, Directors and Auditors), a determination will be made whether they allegedly acted in concert, “the act of omission equals the act of commission”.
The charges (if any) will be determined by the HAWKS as well as the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), I can also confirm that a preliminary investigation is under way by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA).
I am scheduled to meet with SARS Criminal Investigative Unit to furnish them with information that is paramount to their Mandate.
Kind Regards
Mahier Tayob”
