KUALA LUMPUR: An 80-year-old woman lost an eye-watering RM10.4mil after she was duped by a cryptocurrency-based investment scam.
The retiree in Perak began investing in the scheme after she was added into a WhatsApp group, which promoted the cryptocurrency investment, said Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) director Comm Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf.
“Through the WhatsApp group, she began dealing with a man who, she claimed, advanced her the funds to invest in the scheme.
“She was then asked to pay him back. Subsequently, she transferred a total of RM10.4mil to several bank accounts under the names of eight different companies,” he said.
The woman began to have doubts about the investment after she was repeatedly asked to make additional payments for various reasons, he said in a statement.
Comm Ramli said 49 investigation papers (IPs) have been opened in connection with investment scams connected to the investment scheme with losses totalling RM40.7mil.
“A total of 45 of the IPs were opened in the last nine days, including the investigation involving the elderly woman who lost RM10.4mil.
“So far, her losses are the biggest,” he added.
The case, he said, is classified under Section 420 of the Penal Code.
Section 420 deals with cheating and dishonesty.
Comm Ramli assured the public that the CCID would take the necessary action to ensure the syndicate was busted.
“We advise the public not to be duped by investment schemes being promoted on social media.”
Those with information on scams or have enquiries should contact the CCID hotline at 013-211 1222 or the National Scam Response Centre at 997, he added.
Comm Ramli said those who wanted to venture into cryptocurrency investments should refer to the Securities Commission (SC).
“So far, only five companies are allowed by SC to handle matters related to cryptocurrency.
“The companies are Luno Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Hata Digital Sdn Bhd, MX Global Sdn Bhd, SINEGY DAX Sdn Bhd and Tokenize Technology (M) Sdn Bhd,” he said.
