IPOH: A trader from Taman Rasi Jaya here has been cheated of about RM6.2mil in a nonexistent investment scheme.
Perak police chief Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri said the 61-year-old victim only realised she had been deceived after she failed to withdraw money from the supposed gold investment scheme.
Comm Mohd Yusri said the woman then lodged a report on Monday (Jan 22).
"The victim came across a post about the investment scheme on Facebook on Oct 14 and clicked on the link, which led her to the WhatsApp number of an unknown individual, who then added her to a (chat group) for the scheme.
"The victim made 32 transactions into 11 different bank accounts totalling about RM6.2mil," he said in a statement on Tuesday (Jan 23).
"On Monday, when the victim wanted to withdraw RM2.2mil, she did not receive any response from the suspect.
"She also could not access the investment platform and realised she had been cheated," he said, adding that the matter is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.
Comm Mohd Yusri warned the people to be careful about investment schemes on social media platforms.
"They can contact the National Scam Response Centre at 997 if they are victims of a nonexistent investment scheme or have made transactions to a mule account.
"For queries involving such crimes, the people can contact the police Commercial Crime Investigation Department infoline at 013-211 1222 via WhatsApp between 8am and 10pm," he said.
For the latest trends and tactics in scams, visit www.facebook.com/jsjkpdrm or www.facebook.com/cybercrimealertrmp.
