Housewife, 60, loses almost half a million ringgit to scammers

PORT DICKSON: A 60-year-old housewife here has lost about RM480,000 to scammers in a so-called online savings scheme.

District police chief Supt Aidi Sham Mohamed said the woman was contacted via Facebook Messenger on Oct 3 by an unidentified party offering her a free book on financial management.

She was then sent a link via WhatsApp and was added into a group called "Family Discussion".

"The victim was asked to download an application known as 'Forza' and open a savings account.

"She was also asked to deposit money into certain bank accounts by the group administrator and to upload the slip using the application site as proof," he said here Tuesday (Nov 22).

Supt Aidi Sham said the victim then carried out 17 transactions between Nov 1 and 17 totalling RM476,100 and deposited cash into two different bank accounts apparently belonging to a company.

On top of her savings, the woman also borrowed cash from her children and friends to invest.

"However, when she wanted to withdraw her interest payment, her account was blocked.

"The group administrator told her that she would have to deposit a further RM427,200 if she wished to withdraw the interest," he said.

Supt Aidi said the woman became suspicious and did not do so.

She eventually realised that she had been duped and lodged a report at the Teluk Kemang police station on Monday (Nov 21).

The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating which carries a jail term of between one and 10 years, whipping and a fine upon conviction.