IPOH: A factory operator in Taiping lost RM449,100 after falling victim to a non-existent investment scheme.
Taiping OCPD Asst Comm Mohamad Nasir Ismail said the victim came across a Facebook advertisement on Feb 16 for the purportedly US-based scheme and was attracted to the high return rate offered.
"He clicked on a link that led him to a WhatsApp chat group where he got in touch with one 'Asshley Tan', who offered him opportunities with high returns based on the share market.
"The victim was then asked to get in touch with a second suspect, 'Michael Tan', who told him to download a mobile app to monitor his shares," he said in a statement on Wednesday (April 30).
ACP Nasir said the victim made 19 transactions totalling RM449,100 to five different bank accounts between Feb 16 and April 12.
"The victim was told that he was required to pay the amount over three months, which was the scheme's period of maturity.
"He was also told not to withdraw any earnings through the app or transfer the funds to his bank account until the maturity date," he said.
He added that when the victim still did not get any earnings by Tuesday (April 29), he contacted his bank, was told that the scheme did not exist, and subsequently lodged a police report.
"The case is still under investigation under Section 420 of the Penal Code," he said.
