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Miri retiree falls for fake online investment scam, loses RM500,000

Miri retiree falls for fake online investment scam, loses RM500,000

Borneo Post09-07-2025
Mancha says the victim in mid-May came across an advertisement on Facebook promoting an investment opportunity. — Bernama photo
MIRI (July 9): A retiree in his 60s here has reported losses amounting to nearly half a million ringgit after falling for a non-existent investment scheme.
Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Mancha Ata said the victim in mid-May came across an advertisement on Facebook promoting an investment opportunity.
'After clicking on the link, the victim was contacted by a woman who added him to a WhatsApp group called 'Aleesya Stock Trading'.
'The victim was convinced to invest nearly RM500,000, and he transferred the funds in stages to bank accounts provided by the suspect,' he said in a statement today.
Mancha said the victim had received a return of RM65,000 but was asked to pay additional payments to secure the release of the rest of his profits.
'He realised at this point that he had been cheated and filed a police report,' he added.
He reminded the public not to easily trust investment offers advertised on social media platforms, especially those that promise high returns. investment miri retiree scam
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