GEORGE TOWN: More than 100 consultants and customers of Genneva Malaysia Sdn Bhd here continue to cry foul over the raid on the company.

Apparently, more than 10,000 customers and 500 consultants in Penang were affected by the Bank Negara operation.

Genneva consultant Mary-Irene Ooi, 55, insisted that many of them had put their life savings into a legitimate business.

“We are buying gold, which is universally accepted. Like other goldsmith shops, Genneva is also selling gold but on a different platform in a scheduled and regulated manner.

“Bank Negara is free to conduct a probe on the company, but please do not take away our money,” she said at a press conference organised by the company at its office in Gelugor here.

Another consultant Yeoh Ah Guak hoped that the suspension would be lifted immediately.

“I have been using the returns to fund my children’s education,” said the 49-year-old. “Many retirees are also relying on these to pay their medical bills.”

S. Venkatason, 64, claimed that following the raid on Genneva, he could no longer support his daughter’s tertiary education amounting to RM1,000 monthly.

“I have been enjoying the returns for the past two years and everything was smooth sailing,” he said. “I’ve been having sleepless nights for the past one week.”

Venkatason also urged the authorities to expedite their probe into Genneva so it could resume operation soon.

Earlier, Genneva regional director Datuk Joseph Kow held a closed-door meeting with consultants and customers at the office in Jalan Tengku Kudin.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/10/6/nation/12135514&sec=nation