PORT DICKSON: A housewife here lost her savings of RM115,000 after being duped in a cryptocurrency investment scam.
District police chief Supt Aidi Sham Mohamed said the woman, in her 60s, lodged a report on Jan 26.
"The victim claimed that she saw an advertisement for the investment scheme on social media in mid-December.
"(Through the advert) she (was introduced to) an individual via WhatsApp who told her more about the scheme on the Accerx platform.
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"He also told her that it offered high returns," he said in a statement on Thursday (Feb 1).
Supt Aidi Sham said the victim then made six online transactions, transferring money into five different accounts between Dec 19 and Jan 12.
"The victim then saw her so-called profit remitted into her Accerx account but she could not withdraw it.
"She was told that if she wished to withdraw the money, she would have to make additional payments," he said.
Supt Aidi Sham said the victim finally realised that it was a scam and lodged a report.
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The case is being probed under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating, which provides for a jail term of between one and 10 years, whipping and a fine upon conviction.
Supt Aidi Sham also advised the public to always check with official sources such as Bank Negara before they invest in any scheme, especially those that promise unusually high returns.
The public can also call the Commercial Crime Investigation Department Scam Response Centre at 03-2610 1559 or 03-2610 1599, he added.