BATU BAHAT: A 39-year-old man lost more than RM163,000 of his savings after falling for a fake job offer online.
Batu Pahat OCPD Asst Comm Shahrulanuar Mushaddat Abdullah Sani said the victim, who works in the tourism industry, came across the part-time job offer on a social media app on May 28.
“He engaged with an unknown individual about the job offer via WeChat, in which the victim was promised attractive profits.
“However, the victim was asked to purchase a few items on a website called ‘Hubbizvip’ before he can proceed to earn some money,” said ACP Shahrulanuar Mushaddat in a statement.
Attracted by the prospect of making handsome earnings, the victim deposited a total of RM163,731.85 to 18 different bank accounts, in various stages, from May 28 until July 28.
“When the suspect told the victim to make another bank deposit before he could receive his earnings, he started feeling suspicious about the scheme.
“He decided to lodge a police report after realising that he was duped,” he said, adding that the case was being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code.
ACP Shahrulanuar Mushaddat urged the public not to trust strangers easily, especially those who offered part-time jobs with high profits or commission via social media.
He also advised the public to use the Semakmule portal (https://semakmule.rmp.gov.my) to verify and check the list of mule bank accounts, phone numbers, and shell companies before they transfer any cash online.
