KOTA TINGGI: A 60-year-old man lost about RM212,000 after falling for a fake job scheme that promised lucrative returns from reselling goods.
Kota Tinggi OCPD Supt Yusof Othman said the victim was contacted by a suspect via WhatsApp last Friday (Dec 19) and was offered an online part-time job.
“The suspect offered goods such as electrical appliances, computers and clothing at low prices, which the victim was instructed to resell at higher prices through an application provided.
“The retiree was attracted by the offer as it promised lucrative returns,” he said in a statement on Saturday (Dec 27).
Supt Yusof added that the retiree made several payments to a bank account, thinking he was purchasing stock.
“The victim later realised he had been scammed after his telephone number was blocked by the suspect and all attempts to get in touch failed,” he said.
He added that the victim lodged a police report on Dec 26, and an investigation was underway under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.
Supt Yusof advised the public to be more vigilant and not to be easily deceived by misleading offers, especially those made online.
He also urged scam victims to immediately contact the National Scam Response Centre at 997 to enable swift action to block the outflow of funds from suspects’ accounts.
