KUCHING: A businessman from Miri lost RM165,750 after being scammed by a fake investment syndicate operating through an online application.
Miri OCPD Asst Comm Mohd Farhan Lee Abdullah said the victim, a man in his early 40s, was first contacted via WhatsApp by an unknown woman on Sept 23, asking whether the victim's car had been repaired.
He said the suspect later claimed she had contacted the wrong person, but continued the conversation and eventually offered a business investment opportunity through the application.
"The app was allegedly designed to serve as a platform for buying and selling various goods, where the victim was allegedly provided with his own store within the app.
"The victim was required to make payments to suppliers for each order he received," he said in a statement on Tuesday (Oct 7).
Attracted by the offer, the victim made 18 transactions to four different bank accounts, amounting to RM165,750, purportedly as payments for orders.
ACP Mohd Farhan said the victim only realised he had been duped after failing to withdraw the profits promised by the suspect.
The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property. — Bernama
