KUALA LUMPUR: An 80-year-old woman lost a whopping RM10.4mil after she was duped by a cryptocurrency-based investment scam.
Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) director Comm Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf said the retiree in Perak began investing in the scheme after she was added into a WhatsApp Group which promoted cryptocurrency investment schemes.
"Through the WhatsApp group, the woman began dealing with a man, who claimed to advance her the funds to invest in the scheme. She was then asked to pay the man back and she subsequently transferred a total of RM10.4mil to several bank accounts under the names of eight different companies," he said in a statement on Saturday (Jan 27).
Comm Ramli said the woman began to have doubts about the scheme after she was still asked to make additional payments for various reasons.
"The case is classified under Section 420 of the Penal Code," he said.
Comm Ramli assured the public that the CCID will take necessary action to ensure the syndicate is busted.
"We advise the public not to be duped by investment schemes being promoted on social media.
"We urge those with information on scams on inquiries to contact the CCID hotline at 013-211 1222 or the National Scam Response Centre at 997," he said.
Comm Ramli said those who want to venture into cryptocurrency investment should refer to the Securities Commission (SC).
"So far, only five companies are allowed by SC to handle matters related to cryptocurrency. The companies are Luno Malaysia Sdn Bhd, HATA Digital Sdn Bhd, MX Global Sdn Bhd, SINERGY DAX Sdn Bhd and Tokenize Technology (M) Sdn Bhd," he said.
