Former furniture trader loses RM1.22mil in online scam
KUANTAN: A 62-year-old senior citizen has lost RM1.22 million after being duped by an online scam syndicate, police say.
Pahang police chief Datuk Seri Yahaya Othman said the victim, a former trader, became acquainted with the suspect in January.
The man had introduced himself as a property broker from Singapore and later claimed to be running an online business through a platform based in England.
He said the suspect later told the pensioner that he was operating an online business through a platform based in England.
"The suspect shared a website that offered the victim online job opportunities, promising commission rates of between 13 and 18 per cent.
"On 20 February, the victim received a message from someone introducing herself as 'Lee Mei Lee', who then contacted him via WhatsApp.
"Lee Mei Lee taught him how to use the platform, but the victim was required to activate his account first by submitting personal information.
"Throughout the period, the senior citizen only received one commission payment amounting to RM800 for the work done.
"The victim was also asked to make further payments," he said in a statement.
Yahaya said the senior citizen made 61 transactions to 14 different accounts, but after transferring the money, the suspect gave various excuses to delay releasing the funds and continued to request more deposits.
The victim, a former furniture trader, eventually realised he had been scammed, suffering a total loss of RM1.22 million, comprising both his savings and borrowed funds, he said.
Following the case, Yahaya advised the public to exercise caution before transferring money to unknown individuals.
"The public is also reminded to check any bank account or phone number received via the link https://semakmule.rmp.gov.my before making any transactions," he said.
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