KUALA LUMPUR: A housewife lost RM4mil after being tricked into participating in a non-existent stock investment scheme that promised lucrative returns of up to 380%.
Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department director Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf said the investigation found that the 67-year-old woman saw an advertisement on the investment on social a few months ago and then clicked on the link provided.
"The woman was then included in the investment WhatsApp group and was given classes, tips and notes related to the investment," he told a special press conference on Friday (Jan 26).
He said the woman, lured by the promise of lucrative profits, made transactions to 11 company accounts as directed but had not received the promised profit.
The woman lodged a police report on Thursday, and the case was being investigated for fraud under Section 420 of the Penal Code.
Meanwhile, Ramli said the JSJK received 5,389 reports on investment fraud last year, involving losses of up to RM472mil.
"A total of 4,170 operations were carried out specifically to bust investment syndicates, and 3,409 individuals were arrested from those operations.
"Based on the records of 2023, 744 individuals or victims of investment fraud are aged 60 and above," he said. – Bernama
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