KUANTAN: A property consultant lost RM622,161 after being duped in a nonexistent investment scheme last month.
Pahang police chief Comm Datuk Seri Yahaya Othman said the victim, a 71-year-old man, was contacted by the suspect through WhatsApp on Oct 16 about an investment opportunity with profits of up to 50%.
"The victim was then offered to participate in the scheme by downloading an application through a link provided by the suspect," he said in a statement on Tuesday (Jan 13).
He said the victim then made 16 money transfers to four different bank accounts involving a total of RM622,161 using his personal savings between Oct 27 and Dec 27.
Comm Yahaya said the victim received an initial return of RM140,889 that was "reinvested" at the suspect's instruction.
"The victim only realised he had been scammed after being asked to increase his investment capital by RM1mil, supposedly to enable all the profit to be withdrawn," he said.
He also advised the public to seek advice from the nearest police station before making any investment to avoid becoming a victim of fraud.
In addition, account numbers provided by suspects may be checked on the Semak Mule portal before any transaction is made, he added. – Bernama
