Doctor duped of almost RM175,000 in part-time job scam

SEREMBAN: A 29-year-old doctor in Lukut near here has lost almost RM175,000 to an online scam that claimed to offer a part-time digital marketing and sales job.

Negri Sembilan Commercial Crime Department chief Supt Aibee Abdul Ghani said the victim's troubles started on April 8 when she came to know a woman known only as June via Instagram.

"The caller offered the victim a part-time job on an ecommerce platform.

"The victim agreed and was asked to join a WhatsApp group managed by an individual named Alex," he said in a statement on Monday (April 11).

Supt Aibee said the victim was told that she had to buy items from the online platform and make the necessary payments first.

"The victim was told that she would be paid a 10% commission on all purchases made.

"She agreed and began making the purchases," he said.

After making an initial purchase of RM99, the victim then paid almost RM175,000 into seven individual bank accounts on Saturday (April 9).

"The victim was told that she would receive her commission on Sunday.

"However, she realised something was fishy when she was told to make a payment for personal insurance coverage totalling almost RM75,000," he said, adding that she was assured of getting a refund on her capital and being paid the commission once that sum was deposited.

She then lodged a police report.

Supt Aibee said the case was being probed under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.

The offence carries a jail term of between one and 10 years, whipping and a fine upon conviction.