IPOH: A 66-year-old man in Muallim lost RM15,140 after falling victim to an online investment scam promoted through social media.
Muallim OCPD Supt Khalid Mohamad said the victim came across an investment advertisement on Facebook before contacting a person claiming to represent a wealth management company via WhatsApp.
“The victim was instructed to make several payments into a bank account provided by the suspect, totalling RM15,140,” he said in a statement on Thursday (Sept 10) night.
Supt Khalid said the victim was later informed that RM123,120 had been transferred into his account, but the money was not received.
He said the suspect then allegedly asked the victim to make another RM7,000 payment, purportedly for “bank security protection”.
“The victim refused to make the additional payment and lodged a police report,” he said.
Supt Khalid said the case was being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.
He advised the public to be wary of investment schemes advertised on social media and to verify such offers with the relevant authorities before making any payments.
They are also advised to check the bank account numbers provided through the Semakmule portal or contact the National Scam Response Centre at 997 if they have fallen victim to an online financial scam.
