Press release from Autoriti Monetari Brunei Darussalam. Have you heard of financial scams? They are scams involving deposits, money transfers and credit card transactions. Although some financial scams are too good to be true, there are many people that still become victims.

These are the common financial scams in Brunei:

1. Get-rich-quick scheme: a plan, which offers high returns or dividends not usually available through traditional investments. The focus of such schemes would be to obtain deposits without a valid product or services which will be used to pay returns or dividends to earlier investors. The scheme may take the following forms:

  Ponzi scheme

  Pyramid scheme

  Gold investment

  Land-banking investment

  Forex trading

2. Credit card scam: Scammers calling victim’s phone pretending to be a bank officer informing that the victim’s credit card is suspected of crime. For verification purpose, the victims will be deceived into providing their credit card details.

3. Job scam: Scammers pretending to offer a job in their organisation. However, in order to secure the job offer, the victim must pay an upfront fee.

4. Lottery and competition scam: Scammers send out an SMS blast to would-be victims informing them of prizes they have won in competitions organised by some big companies and are advised to pay an entrance fee.

5. Inheritance Scams: Scammers assume the role of lawyers or representatives for a recently deceased distant relative or wealthy benefactor leaving a large inheritance usually in cash of which is to be distributed amongst them at an agreed percentage.

6. Internet love scam: (LOL, never been duped by this before) By creating fake profiles, fraudsters have managed to exploit the other users by pretending to develop an intimate and personal relationship with their victims.

The grand prize for the Open Category to top off with the BND 1,200 cash prize

AMBD believe that it is important to educate the public and raise their awareness to protect innocent people from becoming unfortunate victims. Show your support and creativity by creating a short video on financial scams awareness!

Well, there’s a good incentive for you to join!! Because the winners will win awesome prizes. For the Open Category, first place will win BND 1,200 cash prize with a GoPro Hero 4 Silver Edition, second place will win BND 900 cash prize with Sony Handycam while third place will win BND 600 with Sony HDR. There will also be student category with cash prizes for top three winners – BND 1,000, BND 750 and BND 500 respectively.

I won’t spare much details here but you can download the PDF form for eligibility and other information. Good luck and the deadline for submission is 30th October 2015.

Dai Kichiji, Senior Manager, Consumer Imaging & Information Group, Regional ICP Sales & Marketing Division, Canon, Her Excellency Madam Noriko IKI, the Ambassador of Japan and Vincent Goh, Deputy Managing Director of Interhouse Company (Canon Brunei)

Guest of honour having a tour of the revamped showroom at Canon

Interhouse Company, the sole distributor of Canon in Brunei, launched their revamped showroom at Jalan Tutong this morning. The highlight for me was definitely trying out the Canon EOS 5Ds *wowwieeee* This camera packs a punch and you will need a bigger memory for your SD or CF card because it can shoot up to 50 megs. The only downside is I don’t have the budget for the new EOS 5Ds and I’m still content with the 5D Mark III which has been useful for the past two years.

During the launch this morning was the guest of honour, Her Excellency Madam Noriko IKI, the Ambassador of Japan to Brunei Darussalam. Also present were Dai Kichiji, Senior Manager, Consumer Imaging & Information Group, Regional ICP Sales & Marketing Division, Canon and Vincent Goh, Deputy Managing Director of Interhouse Company (Canon Brunei).

Among the invitees were the business partners of Interhouse Company such as Brunei Press Sdn Bhd, Hua Ho and Plus+ Magazine to name a few and not forgetting the loyal users of Canon photographers.

The ribbon cutting was performed before entering the newly renovated showroom. You will be able to see the new Canon DSLRs, the Canon lenses, printers, compact cameras, calculators and many more.

What most of you will be looking forward to is the upcoming Canon Photomarathon 2015 which will take place on 27th September 2015 and the venue will be at Star Lodge Hotel. For more information, you can click here and don’t forget to register because the first prize is a Canon 7D and there will be a grand winner where you will attend a photo clinic in Japan.

Congratulations to Interhouse Company on the showroom.

With the senior management of Interhouse Company and invited guests

Looking for a PIXMA printer?

You can try out the Selphy printer too.

The ladies checking out the compact Canon cameras

My busy industrious friend who also works at Interhouse Company

The durable and reliable printers from Canon

I have yet to try this beast – Canon EOS 5Dsr

I’ve been eyeing on this camera. Yes or no? But I’m still happy with my 5D Mark III.

Hasmin testing the Canon EOS 5Ds. What a beauty!!

Check out the calculators too from Canon

So ladies and gents. Start registering for the Canon Photomarathon 2015.

Group photo of Interhouse Company with loyal customers