JOHOR BARU: A lady broker claimed that she lost RM1.45mil after falling for an overseas fraudulent investment scheme, police revealed.
Johor police chief Comm M. Kumar said the woman, 44, had come across an advertisement on the Hong Kong Stock Market via social media.
“The investment offered 100% profit, with 25% for agents and 75% for investors,’’ he said in a statement yesterday.
Comm Kumar said the victim was added to a V-27 Pantheon Market Insight Academy WhatsApp group where she was briefed on the scheme, adding that she was also offered a trip to Hong Kong to meet with the so-called investors.
“The victim made several transactions amounting to about RM1.5mil to local banks between June and Aug 20,’’ he said, adding she had downloaded the Apex app to monitor the investment.
Comm Kumar said after making the payments, the victim found that she made profits as displayed on the app.
He said the victim managed to withdraw the profits and left RM1.45mil in it to continue with the investment.
“Later she wanted to withdraw the profits again but was unsuccessful for various reasons, such as not following their rules,” he said.
Comm Kumar said she was blocked from the WhatsApp group, adding that the broker lodged a police report after finding that she was cheated of her RM1.45mil.
The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code.
Comm Kumar said from January to Aug 20, 399 cases of investment fraud with total losses of RM32.9mil were recorded, compared with 327 cases and RM26mil losses for the same period in 2023.
He advised the public not to be taken in by investment offers promising huge profits, saying they should always check with the relevant authorities.
“Also get the latest information regarding commercial crime modus operandi through the Commercial Crime Investigation Department’s Facebook, Instagram and Tik Tok platforms,’’ he said.
