JOHOR BARU: Johor police are investigating two separate online investment scams that left two victims — a teacher and a surveyor — out of a combined RM102,024.
Johor Baru South OCPD Asst Comm Raub Selamat said in the first case, a 34-year-old teacher lost RM80,524 after being tricked into investing in a non-existent cryptocurrency scheme by a man she met on the matchmaking website Baitul Muslim.
"Investigations revealed that the victim made nine online transactions totaling RM110,510 into several different bank accounts between March 10 and March 13, 2025.
“She only received a return of RM29,985 before realising she had been scammed," he said in a statement on Saturday (March 15).
Checks through the CCID Semak Mule application found that one of the accounts involved had two prior records linked to fraud cases.
Meanwhile, in a separate case, police are also probing another online investment scam that caused a 58-year-old surveyor to lose RM21,500.
ACP Raub said the victim was at home in Dipolo Park, Johor Baru, on Sept 29 last year when he came across an advertisement for stock investments on Facebook.
"He was later contacted via WhatsApp by a so-called customer service representative named Sara, who convinced him that the scheme would provide up to 50% returns in a short period," he said.
The victim was also in touch with another individual, known as Ellie, who claimed to be an account manager and instructed him to register on the Silegax Exchange application.
Believing in the investment scheme, the victim was directed to make multiple payments.
Between Dec 11, 2024, and March 10, 2025, he conducted six online transactions into four different bank accounts under various company names.
"The victim only realised he had been deceived when he did not receive any returns, and the scammers kept requesting additional payments under the pretext of unlocking his investment profits," ACP Raub said.
A check through Semak Mule CCID found that two of the bank accounts used in the scam had 11 prior fraud records.
Both cases are being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating, which carries a maximum jail sentence of 10 years, whipping, and a fine upon conviction.
ACP Raub warned that online investment scams are becoming more widespread, affecting even professionals such as teachers, doctors, and government officers.
"We urge the public not to fall for investment schemes that promise unusually high returns in a short time, especially from individuals met through social media or online platforms," he said.
He advised the public to be cautious when approached by strangers online offering investment opportunities, verify phone numbers and bank accounts using Truecaller or the CCID Semak Mule application, and report any suspicious activity to the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) by calling 997.
The public is also encouraged to follow the Commercial Crime Investigation Department (JSJK) on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for updates on scam tactics.
