BATU PAHAT: A 49-year-old accountant lost RM776,000 of her hard-earned savings to a fake cryptocurrency scheme.
Batu Pahat OCPD Asst Comm Ismail Dollah said the woman came across the investment scheme advertisement on Facebook in October last year and decided to try it.
“She got in touch with four individuals through WhatsApp under the impression that she was purchasing some cryptocurrency.
“She also provided them her personal information, including MyKad and bank account numbers for registration purposes.
“The victim then made payments amounting to RM776,000 into 23 different bank accounts in phases,” he said in a statement on Wednesday (Jan 31).
He added that the victim thought she had made handsome profits after checking her app and wanted to cash out the money.
However, she was told to make a 1% payment of the profits to do so.
“She refused and later noticed that her account in the app had been blocked. She has not received anything or heard from the investment company since,” he said, adding that the victim lodged a police report on Jan 24.
The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.
ACP Ismail reminded the public not to be influenced by investment opportunities that promise high returns and to always check with the authorities before making payments to unknown sources.
Those told to make online money transfers are advised to check the bank account number on the police SemakMule app or https://semakmule.rmp.gov.my/ and to contact the National Scam Response Centre at 997 if they suspect they have fallen victim to any scams.
