PETALING JAYA, May 29 — The so-called European Union passport “issued” by a 59-year-old French woman to 200 Malaysians and foreigners does not exist.

European Union ambassador and head of delegation to Malaysia Luc Vandebon said there was “no such thing” as an EU passport.

He said the woman detained in Port Dickson by police on May 20 was one of the many scammers who had misused the EU’s name.

He said certain companies had done the same to make money and gain publicity. 

“Last year, a Malaysia-based company with an address in Putrajaya posed as a European trade commission official and asked for a large sum from the UN office here on behalf of EU to apparently run an event here,” he said.

Vandebon said although scams using EU’s name were worrying, there was a system in place to contain the problem. 

He said information on suspicious activities allegedly carried out on behalf of the EU was sent to the EU’s anti-fraud department in Brussels for verification.

He said the EU did not entertain people or organisations asking for funds for minority groups they allegedly represented as claimed by the woman who had posed as an Iranian princess and a high-ranking United Nations (UN) commissioner from a UN sub-organisation called the International Money Union (IMU).

She had claimed the organisation channelled cash to the poor around the world. 

In order to get the funds, the woman had told victims they needed an “EU passport” which she could acquire for a sum of money.

“We have 28 countries registered as members under our organisation and no funds can flow out of EU accounts unless decisions are made after discussions between all members,” Vandebon said.

Port Dickson police chief Supt Adzli Abu Shah said the woman had marketed her “business” through various online platforms that persuaded people to attend a four-day course at Ocean View Hotel Resort in Port Dickson 

Those who signed up were required to pay RM1,500 and given uniforms and berets that carried the UN insignia.

They were also issued the fake EU passports which allegedly would give them unrestricted access to countries worldwide.

She impressed her victims by driving a car with diplomatic registration plates. 

“We believe she amassed millions from victims, mainly Indonesians, since initiating the scam here over two years ago,” Adzli said. 

Police also arrested an Indonesian who posed as the woman’s assistant and seized over 990 fake passports bearing the EU logo and “UN uniforms”.

Victims included Chinese nationals, Singaporeans, Turks and Britons. 

She would claim her victims would get €1,500 (RM6,000) some  time after she returned to IMU headquarters in Belgium.

She also told them the cash was supposed to be distributed to the poor in the victims’ villages.

Police checks with the UN showed IMU does not exist. 

They said last December, the suspect had taken 77 Indonesians to the KL International Airport (KLIA) to catch a flight to Brussels to meet IMU officials.

It is understood the victims had each paid about Rp40 million (RM13,000) for the trip and were issued with “EU passports”. They were ordered to leave their authentic international passports with her for safekeeping.

On arrival at KLIA, they were prevented from boarding their flight after immigration officials said the passports were fake.

She had even daringly berated the officials for restricting her and her victims from leaving the country.