SEREMBAN: A retired manager lost more than RM500,000 of her savings in an online phone scam.
Seremban police chief Asst Comm Mohamad Hatta Che Din said the victim, who used to work in a private company, lodged a report on Tuesday (March 5) upon realising that she had been scammed.
"The victim had been communicating via WhatsApp with an individual whom she had never met and was asked if she was keen to invest in a scheme.
"The victim agreed to do so and then transferred RM512,200 via 16 transactions," he said in a statement.
ACP Mohamad Hatta said the victim made the first transaction on Dec 10, 2022, and the last one on Jan 14, 2023.
He did not elaborate on why it took the woman more than a year to lodge a report.
The case was being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating. Upon conviction, offenders could be jailed for one to 10 years, whipped, and fined.
ACP Mohamad Hatta advised the public to verify with the authorities first before they decide to invest in online investment schemes.
He also advised them to be wary of schemes which offered unusually high returns.
"We would like to remind the public to also exercise caution when they receive such calls," he said.
To verify such information, the public can contact the police's Scam Response Centre at 03-2610 1559 / 1599.
