In suit, 1MDB alleges Rosmah spent up to RM1.6b using its funds to buy jewellery and handbags from 48 vendors in 14 countries
Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor is accused of buying jewellery, handbags, and other luxury items worth nearly US$346 million (RM1.6 billion) using funds from 1MDB and SRC International
Legal documents claimed over 300 transactions were made involving 48 vendors across 14 countries between 2010 and 2014, with Hong Kong and United Arab Emirates topping the list
Eight offshore entities were listed for acting as intermediaries: Aabar Seychelles, Affinity Equity International Partners, Alsen Chance, Blackrock Commodities Global, Blackstone Real Estate Partners, Brightstone Jewellery, Good Star and World Merit Management
The funds were traced to fiduciaries and trustees controlled by fugitive broker Jho Low, Low’s father, and Rosmah’s husband — disgraced former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak
KUALA LUMPUR, June 11 — Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor had allegedly acquired luxury goods such as handbags, jewellery and watches purchased using 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) and SRC International Sdn Bhd’s funds totalling some US$346 million (RM1.6 billion) from 48 different vendors and at least 14 countries.
In a 515-page statement of claim filed by 1MDB and its subsidiaries including SRC International, they alleged a total of 320 payments were made by Rosmah between 2010 and 2014.
“Between the period of 2010 and 2014, eight entities registered in offshore jurisdictions including, at the material time, the seventh to 11th plaintiffs. These payments are traceable to and/or represent the monies misappropriated from the first to sixth plaintiffs.
“Payments and the beneficial receipt of the luxury goods by the first defendant form part of the wider fraud and money laundering scheme orchestrated by, among others, the former prime minister of Malaysia, Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak, Najib’s proxies, and former fiduciaries and trustees of the first to sixth plaintiffs, in which billions of Ringgit Malaysia were misappropriated and laundered through various offshore entities,” the document said.
The plaintiffs said the funds had been earmarked for various investments, were embezzled using foreign entities that were unrelated to the state investment firm and had no business receiving its funds.
It added that while payments for the luxury goods were made from the offshore entities, the purchases were by Rosmah or her agents including the second defendant, Shabnam Naraindas Daswani (also known as Natasha Mirpuri).
Mirpuri is a Singaporean citizen and has been described in media reports as a “fashion designer” who is a known associate of Rosmah by being involved in many of Rosmah’s acquisitions and procurement of jewellery and other high-value fashion products.
At the time of the suit's filing, liquidation proceedings were being conducted against Affinity, Alsen Chance, Blackrock Commodities, Blackstone Real Estate and Brightstone.
The statement of claim was filed via Messrs Lim Chee Wee Partnership on June 4.
What 1MDB and SRC is seeking from Rosmah
The named plaintiffs are seeking first and foremost a recovery of the luxury goods and their traceable proceeds from Rosmah.
"The first defendant had received the luxury goods for no consideration and knew or ought to have known that the luxury goods, being the traceable substitute of the funds (US$346 million), were transferred to her in breach of fiduciary duties and breach of trust.
"In the alternative, the plaintiffs seek to recover from the first defendant, among others, the sum of US$346,010,489 (or approximately RM1.632 billion at the exchange rate at the date of filing this suit) being the total cost of the luxury goods or the monetary value of the luxury goods received," it said.
The plaintiffs also said they were still in the midst of investigating the full extent of the defendants' — Rosmah and Mirpuri — wrongdoing and involvement, which include the full extent of their losses.
"Subject to the above and the provision by the defendants of, among others, full and proper disclosure, this statement of claim contains the best particulars that the plaintiffs are able to plead at this juncture.
"Accordingly, the plaintiffs reserve their right to amend their claim and/or particularise the statement of claim," they said.
The plaintiffs are also asking the court to compel both defendants to be accountable for damages or equitable compensation, for an account of profits, for exemplary or aggravated damages, interest as well as costs on a full indemnity basis.
They are also asking the court to compel Rosmah to return any items she has in her possession and or to pay the sum or such other sum assessed by the court on the grounds it was knowing receipt and or unjust enrichment.
As for Shabnam, the plaintiffs are asking for the court to determine a sum on the grounds of dishonest assistance.
