PETALING JAYA: Over RM6mil in losses have been linked to a vending machine investment scam, says Bukit Aman.
Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) director Comm Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf said a total of 58 reports on the scam have been lodged, with all linked to Smart Vending Sdn Bhd.
"Losses have been estimated to be at RM6,787,265.
"Investigations showed that the company had offered several investment packages with differing returns. The promised profits from the packages, however, were not paid.
"Many investors do not know if the vending machines promised by the organisers had even existed or otherwise," he said in a statement on Monday (Feb 10).
He also urged all to think carefully before investing their money and to avoid placing full trust in unknown third parties.
Previously a press conference was held by victims that had invested in a vending machine scheme, with investments ranging from RM1,000 to RM450,000 since 2023.
A 60-year-old victim, who wished to be known as Priema, shared that she and her husband lost about RM80,000 investing in drinks and snacks vending machines.
"I started investing in December 2023, using my Employees Provident Fund (EPF) savings of about RM50,000. I received over RM9,000 in returns and felt confident, so I urged my husband to invest.
"He ended up investing RM30,000," she recounted at a press conference on Sunday (Feb 9).
