After hacking charges, SEA Gamer Mall puts CEO, CPO on leave
Local online game store SEA Gamer Mall Sdn Bhd has placed two top directors on leave after they were charged by the US Department of Justice (DOJ) in an international hacking scandal.
The duo is its founder and CEO Wong Ong Hua and chief product officer Ling Yang Ching...
Local online game store SEA Gamer Mall Sdn Bhd has placed two top directors on leave after they were charged by the US Department of Justice (DOJ) in an international hacking scandal.
The duo is its founder and CEO Wong Ong Hua and chief product officer Ling Yang Ching.
In a statement today, SEA Gamer Mall stressed it had “never” engaged in wrongdoing.
Nevertheless, it was cooperating with the authorities on the case.
“The two employees concerned are temporarily on leave pending the resolution of the matter.
“As a responsible company serving millions of customers around the world, we are committed to and have been offering full cooperation and assistance to the authorities.
“Without compromising the integrity of any ongoing legal process, (it is) suffice to say that the company has never engaged in any illegal activity [...],” it said.
Wong and Ling have been charged with 23 counts including for conspiring with hackers from China to “profit from computer intrusions” targeting computer game firms in US, France, Japan, Singapore and South Korea.
The hackers, meanwhile, are said to have worked with the duo to “steal and launder money” through the video game industry.
Both have been arrested and Malaysian police are expected to make a public statement on the case soon.
Customer info ‘safe and secure’
The SEA Gamer Mall website is an online store selling “top-up cards” for popular online games, digital gift cards and prepaid mobile credits.
On its website, it claims to have one million registered users and 350,000 active users monthly.
In light of the charges, SEA Gamer Mall assured that users’ personal information was protected.
“All personal details of our customers remain safe and secure.
“The company is actively engaging with external professionals to enhance our system in order to ensure the utmost safety and security to protect all personal data and details of our customers.
“We strive to take all necessary measures to minimise the risks of our business relationships with our valued partners,” it said in the same statement.
Based in Sitiawan, Perak, the company has offices in China, Thailand and Indonesia.
Company records show it made RM386.4 million in revenue and RM11.6 million in profit in 2019.
Besides Wong and Ling, SEA Gamer Mall’s directors include Nerine and Chryseis Tan, the daughters of Berjaya Corporation Bhd founder Vincent Tan.
Vincent is also the major shareholder in the company through Cyberventures Sdn Bhd.
Cyberventures is owned by Vecc-Men Holdings Sdn Bhd, where Vincent has a stake.
Are you sure you want to delete this comment?
This action cannot be undone.