KUALA LUMPUR: Don’t be blinded by online romance and become victims of love scams, says Comm Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf.
The Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) director said those seeking online lovers should be more wary of red flags.
“The public should be alert in identifying signs of love scams such as their online love interest suddenly asking for money.
“We advise those who find love online but have never met their partners to not easily believe an inconsistent story or an online profile.
“We must be sceptical and question people’s intentions, especially those who have just started an online relationship. This is especially true when they start asking for money or personal information,” he told a press conference at the CCID headquarters yesterday.
He also advised the public to use trusted sources to check the validity of an online love interest through search engines or by contacting the authorities.
Details that matter: Static cases of platforms used in scam investments being displayed during a press conference at the CCID headquarters in Menara KPJ, Kuala Lumpur. — AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star
“Discuss with friends and family members to get their views as well,” he said.
He said this in relation to a case where a 58-year-old female lawyer was duped of RM1.7mil in a love scam on Sept 9.
“The victim got to know a man, who claimed to be an American marine geologist, through WhatsApp in July.
“The suspect supposedly came to Malaysia to oversee the construction of an underwater tank in Terengganu but all his money was stolen.
“He then asked the victim to assist him by loaning him money with the promise to pay it back soon. She ended up transferring RM1.7mil to a bank account and never saw her money again,” he said.
In another case, 17 individuals, including a woman, were detained for suspected involvement in the Pantheon Ventures’ investment scam.
Comm Ramli said the suspects, aged between 23 and 52, were detained in the city recently.
“They were employed as company director, secretary and agents tasked with finding mule accounts for the syndicate. We seized various items including 13 mobile phones, a laptop, six ATM cards and a bank statement,” he said.
Comm Ramli said the department opened 66 investigation papers on the investment scam with losses reaching RM32.9mil since January.
“A total of 20 bank accounts involving seven company accounts, 12 business accounts and a personal account were used by the syndicate,” he said.
Comm Ramli said the syndicate operated fully online and used the name of a renowned investment company to dupe victims.
“Investigations revealed that an investment company named Pantheon Ventures operated in the United Kingdom since 1982. However, the company had no connection to the scam syndicate,” he said.
The syndicate used Facebook and WhatsApp for advertising and communicating with the victims.
“The advertisements were on Facebook, using the algorithm system to reach optimum results of views by social media users.
“They offered returns between 6% to 400% a day depending on the investment packages.
“The victims fell for the scheme as a trading guru was guiding them as well,” he said.
The victims were also instructed to deposit funds for investments to certain bank accounts as well as download the applications APEX and NEEQ via Googleplay and Appstore, he said.
“However, the victims ended up with no returns. We are tracking down seven other individuals to assist with the investigation,” he said.
Meanwhile, Comm Ramli refuted claims that the country was used as a hub for scammers due to inaction by the authorities.
He said the department detained 2,163 suspects last year following 297 raids on scam-related premises.
“This year, we already nabbed 1,068 suspects after conducting 126 raids. To say that we did not do anything to curb scams is irresponsible,” he added.
He was commenting on a report in an online portal titled “Transnational crime in South-East Asia: A growing threat to global peace and security”, which detailed how criminal networks built scam compounds in Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos and involved Malaysians in the management of their operations and fraudulent proceeds.
The article also claimed that Malaysia was a hub for scammers due to inaction by the authorities.
“While there are Malaysians involved in scams, it is a trans- border problem as scammers are from various countries,” Comm Ramli said.
He said scammers, irrespective of nationalities, are operating from various countries including Laos and Vietnam.
“It is a regional problem and not unique to Malaysia. In terms of human trafficking in the context of scam syndicates, some are classified as forced labour where the victims are lured into becoming scammers overseas.
“Malaysia is known for its strategic location for people across Asia to carry out illicit enterprises,” he said.
Comm Ramli said law enforcement agencies have had significant success in combating cybercrimes, resulting in the apprehension of thousands of perpetrators throughout the years.
“These operations are continuing, and systems in intelligence, operations, and investigations are being beefed up to meet current and future challenges,” he said.
He added that the CCID is also pushing for a law on criminal liability for those who rent their premises as calling centres for scam activities.
