NILAI: A 45-year-old accountant has been scammed out of approximately RM116,000 after being lured into an online investment scheme promising unusually high returns.
Nilai police chief Supt Abdul Malik Hasim reported that the victim, employed at a company here, began investing in the scheme after being approached by an individual through a foreign microblogging website on Dec 9.
"The individual told the victim about an investment scheme which paid out exceptionally high returns. The victim believed the individual's story and began transferring money into several bank accounts," he said in a statement.
Supt Abdul Malik said the victim realised she had been scammed only after failing to withdraw her supposed profits.
The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating, which carries a jail term of between one and 10 years, whipping, and a fine upon conviction.
He advised those planning online investments, especially in schemes offering unusually high returns, to verify with authorities or Bank Negara Malaysia before investing.
"Also, please do not provide your personal banking details to strangers," he cautioned.
The public can also call the police's CCID Scam Response Centre at 03-2610 1559 or 03-2610 1599 for additional information.
