JOHOR BARU: A woman lost more than half a million ringgit after falling prey to an investment scam here.
Johor Baru North OCPD Asst Comm Balveer Singh said the 36-year-old victim received a message from the suspect containing a link to an investment scheme called 'Dimensional Investment (Asia Station)'.
"The woman was promised returns of between 10% and 20% on her investment.
"This attracted the victim, and she agreed to invest," he said in a statement, adding that the woman received the message on June 1.
He said the woman then made a total of 28 transactions, amounting to RM555,130, to six different bank accounts between July 19 and Sept 23.
"However, she only received returns amounting to RM20,000.
"The scammer later asked her for an additional RM300,000, claiming it was necessary to allow her to collect the rest of her money.
"This request raised her suspicions, and she soon realised something was wrong," he said, adding that the victim was also unable to contact the suspect after that.
ACP Balveer said the woman lodged a police report on Friday (Oct 11) and that the case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.
Meanwhile, on a separate case, ACP Balveer said the police have arrested five men believed to be involved in a car theft syndicate.
"The suspects, aged between their 20 and 50 years old, were arrested on Oct 6 and 7 in the Skudai and Masai areas.
"Their arrests came following a report made about a missing car on Aug 23 in Taman Ungku Tun Aminah," he said.
He added that four out of the five suspects have criminal records related to drug offences, and one tested positive for drugs.
"Based on early investigation, it was believed that two of the suspects were responsible for stealing cars.
"Meanwhile, the rest were in charge of dismantling components of the vehicles and turning them into scraps," he said.
ACP Balveer said police have also recorded statements from the owner and workers at a scrap shop believed to be involved in the activity.
The case is being investigated under Section 411 of the Penal Code for dishonestly receiving stolen property and Section 39C of the Dangerous Drugs Act for repeated drug offences.
