JOHOR BARU: A factory worker, dreaming of becoming a millionaire, ended up losing her life savings.
The woman managed to amass RM2mil in digital winnings, but lost more than RM460,000 in real money in the process.
A police official said the woman, in her 50s, befriended someone on social media who promised lucrative returns from online gambling.
“She was enticed that her principal sum would be protected. She was made to win a few times just to convince her,” the official said, adding that the woman transferred the money via 23 transactions to various accounts over a period of two months.
The woman only realised it was a scam when she could not withdraw her RM2mil winnings, and lodged a police report.
In another scam, a sundry shop owner thought she had landed a good deal on baby diapers.
The woman, in her 20s, contacted a seller on social media in July and carried out more than 70 transactions over several months to secure the goods.
The victim incredibly kept on paying despite not receiving any items she had ordered.
“She only realised she was duped when the seller informed her recently that the company had gone bankrupt and that it will not be able to deliver the goods or return the money,” the police official said.
Meanwhile, a kindergarten owner lost RM1.3mil after joining a non-existent online investment scheme.
Johor police chief Comm Datuk Ab Rahaman Arsad said the 42-year-old woman lodged a report on Friday claiming she was duped by scammers posing as online share investment agents.
The victim first came across an investment advertisement on social media in September that promised unusually high profits.
“After asking for more information, she was promised returns of up to 41% of her total investment.
“Enticed by the offer, the victim made a series of online transfers amounting to RM1.3mil into several bank accounts between Nov 6 and Nov 21,” he said.
The victim was pressured to pay more money as fees when she decided to withdraw her profits.
When she failed to receive anything, she lodged a police report.
Comm Ab Rahaman advised the public to verify investment claims, adding that they should use the Semak Mule service or follow the Commercial Crime Investigation Department’s official page on social media.
