A JOHOR oil-and-gas technician lost over RM900,000 to scammers offering quick investment returns via WhatsApp.
Enticed by promises of RM8 million in profits, the victim deposited RM908,305 through a fraudulent app and attended fake “online classes.”
He realized the scam when asked to pay RM100,000 to withdraw his “profits.” Johor police are investigating under Section 420 of the Penal Code and warn against online schemes promising high returns.
Malaysia reportedly loses RM54 billion annually to scams, equivalent to 3% of its GDP.
“The victim was working abroad when he was approached through WhatsApp by a scammer offering an investment opportunity via a mobile app.
“Enticed by promises of rapid financial gain, he downloaded the app, attended online tutorials, and initiated multiple transactions, ultimately transferring RM908,305 to various accounts between September and November.
“Although the app displayed his investment as growing to RM8mil, he was asked to pay an additional RM100,000 as a withdrawal deposit,” he said in a statement on Sunday (Nov 17). —Nov 17, 2024
Main image: Emily Wallace (Facebook)
