KOTA TINGGI: A 51-year-old businessman lost about RM380,000 after falling victim to a fake investment scheme promoted on WhatsApp.
Kota Tinggi OCPD Supt Yusof Othman said the victim was enticed by an offer from an individual who contacted him on Oct 10.
“The syndicate’s modus operandi involved offering an investment plan promising a 50% profit within one week,” he said on Thursday (Oct 23).
“Tempted by the returns, the victim made eight transactions between October 10 and October 15 into two bank accounts amounting to RM380,000,” he said.
Supt Yusof said the victim contacted the suspect on Tuesday (Oct 21) to claim his profits, but the suspect refused and urged him to invest more.
The victim lodged a police report the next day after failing to withdraw his investment and the promised profits.
Police are investigating under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.
Supt Yusof advised the public to be cautious of unlicensed or illegal schemes that promise unrealistically high returns.
He said the public can learn about current commercial crime tactics via the Commercial Crime Investigation Department’s Facebook, Instagram and TikTok accounts.
“The public is urged to verify bank account numbers before making transactions to unknown parties using the ‘Semak Mule’ service and to download the Whoscall app,” he added.
Victims should immediately contact the National Scam Response Centre at 997 to help block transfers from suspects’ accounts.
