Marketing firm back in business

Marketing firm back in business

MEDAN, North Sumatra: Thousands have flocked to a multilevel
marketing company following reports that the firm, whose owners
are under investigation for alleged fraud, had resumed operation.

Former customers of the company are trying to recover their
money, which was allegedly embezzled by the company's founder, M.
Yusuf, in July 1999. Yusuf and his wife Sakinah, who are believed
to have left with trillions of rupiah received from the
customers, are still at large.

Instead of returning their money, the company is offering 102
new schemes and forms. A company staff member quoted a statement
from Yusuf, telling customers that their money would be
transferred to their bank accounts.

The city administration has warned the former customers and
the public of the company's past fraudulence. The mayor of Medan,
Bachtiar Djafar, said on Monday that his office never allowed the
company to renew its business.

The company's branches in Surabaya and Jakarta were closed
also last July because of alleged embezzlement. (39/01)