PONTIAN: A retired teacher lost RM36,765 after falling for a fake investment scheme advertised on TikTok.
Pontian OCPD Supt Hadzrat Hussien Mion Hussain said the 68-year-old victim was at home in Kampung Tengah Ayer Baloi at 8.26am on April 16 when he came across the online investment offer.
“The victim was attracted to the investment scheme on TikTok, which promised high returns within a short period, and contacted the account administrator for more details,” he said in a statement on Monday (May 11).
Supt Hadzrat said the administrator, known as “Syafiq”, told the victim that he only needed to invest a small amount to make large profits.
He said the victim was promised multiple returns from an initial capital of as low as RM350, with the investments supposedly managed by the company’s manager, known as “Hasiah”.
The victim then made seven transactions totalling RM36,765 into five local bank accounts between April 16 and April 29 through online transfers and cash deposit machines.
“The victim only realised he had been cheated when the company kept demanding more money before allowing him to withdraw his capital and profits,” Supt Hadzrat said.
The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.
Supt Hadzrat advised the public to be cautious when dealing with unknown individuals, especially in matters involving financial transactions.
The public can check suspicious bank accounts through Semak Mule, contact the CCID Scam Response Centre at 03-2610 1559 or 03-2610 1599, or visit the Facebook pages @JSJKPDRM and @CyberCrimeAlertRMP.
Scam victims are also advised to call the National Scam Response Centre at 997 immediately.
