Brothers accused of money laundering and cybercrime offences
Clients were allegedly defrauded of substantial sums
Two brothers were remanded in custody on Sunday after they were accused of money laundering and cybercrime offences.
Hamzah Sallam Mohammed Almutreesh, 34, and his 30-year-old brother, Sallam, both Libyans resident in Sliema, were arraigned after a company they worked for, GCC7 Services Limited, filed a criminal complaint against them.
It is being alleged that the pair unlawfully accessed client contact details and contacted customers outside office hours while impersonating company representatives. They allegedly defrauded their victims of substantial sums.
The proceeds were allegedly laundered across borders.
In court, the two men pleaded not guilty.
Defence lawyer Tiziana Micallef requested bail. The prosecution objected highlighting that the men lacked solid ties to Malta and that there was a risk they would abscond. It was also argued that they would potentially interfere with the witnesses or tamper with the evidence.
The court denied the men bail and they were remanded in custody. It issued a freezing order on all their assets as well as a protection order in favour of Marwan Ibrahim, the director of the company.
Magistrate Giannella Camilleri Busuttil presided. AG lawyer Marica Ciantar prosecuted assisted by police inspector Eman Hayman.
Lawyers Arthur Azzopardi and Jacob Magri appeared as parte civile for GCC7 Services Ltd. Lawyer Tiziana Micallef appeared for the accused.