Factory manager loses over RM900,000 to bogus WhatsApp investment scam

JOHOR BARU: A female factory manager lost over RM900,000 of her savings after being scammed in a bogus online investment scheme.

Johor police chief Comm Datuk M. Kumar said the 53-year-old victim lodged a police report on Saturday (Nov 16) claiming she had been cheated, causing her to suffer huge financial losses.

According to the victim, in May this year, her mobile phone number was inserted into a WhatsApp group chat by an unknown individual.

The group offered an investment opportunity in the hotel industry that promised a high returns rate, easily and in a short period of time, he said in a statement here on Monday (Nov 18).

Comm Kumar added that the victim was attracted by the high returns promised and made several online banking deposits into different bank accounts between Sept and Oct, amounting to RM943,250 for investment purposes.

After making the payments, the victim was informed by the suspect that she made a profit of RM600,000.

However, she was instructed to make further payments to withdraw her profits.

The victim did not make any more payments as she believed she had been cheated before lodging a police report, he said, adding that the case was being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code.

Comm Kumar reminded the public to be more vigilant and not be easily duped by any investment offers they come across either on social media or online that promise high returns in a short time.

He added the public should make checks with agencies such as the police, Bank Negara and the Security Commission to get clarification and further information about investment deals offered to them.

Please use the Semak Mule service to check the status of bank accounts and phone numbers of unknown individuals before continuing with a payment transaction, he said.

Comm Kumar added that the public should also know the latest trends and modus operandi of scammers to avoid being cheated by visiting the police commercial crime official social media pages on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.