JOHOR BARU: A senior citizen suffered RM88,000 in losses after falling for a bogus online investment scheme.
Johor Baru North OCPD Asst Comm Balveer Singh said that the victim, who is a 63-year-old local woman, has lodged a police report on Tuesday (Dec 17) after being scammed.
“The victim said that at around noon on Oct 16, she received a link through her WhatsApp from a person using the name Zhang Hou.
“She was offerred an opportunity to participate in an online investment scheme that promises a profit return based on invested capital according to market prices that will change from time to time,” he said here on Wednesday (Dec 18).
ACP Balveer added that the victim was interested in the promised profits she could make and she agreed to make the investments.
He said the victim then carried out three financial transactions to two different bank accounts between Oct 16 and on Monday (Dec 16) with a total value of RM88,000.
“The victim only realised she had been cheated after being told to make further payments to withdraw her profits,” he said adding that the case was being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.
ACP Balveer also said that investigation would also cover the involvement of mule accounts where actions will be taken against the account owners involved.
He advised the public to be more aware of the latest trends used by commercial criminals to avoid becoming a victim.
“The public should not easily believe in any investment or online job offers that promise easy methods with high returns,” he added.
ACP Balveer said the public should make full use of the online service provided by the police commercial crime department such as SemakMule, CCID scam response centre at 03-2610 1559 or 03-2610 1599, CCID infoline or visit its Facebook pages.
“The public can also contact the National Scam Response Centre at 997 to get any information pertaining to commercial crime before making any payment transaction to a third party,” he added.