Two Men In Penang Lose RM2.35 Mln In Investment Scams
GEORGE TOWN, June 22 (Bernama) -- Two men, including a senior citizen, suffered a loss of RM2.35 million after each fell victim to online investment fraud syndicates, in separate incidents in Penang recently.
Penang police chief Datuk Hamzah Ahmad said in the first case, the Commercial Crime Investigation Division (BSJK) of Seberang Perai Tengah district police headquarters received a complaint from a 57-year-old local man who is an insurance agent in Perai, yesterday after suffering a loss of almost RM1.5 million.
"According to the man, he had seen a stock investment advertisement promising high returns on Facebook in December and the victim then contacted the female suspect via the WhatsApp application.
"The investment offered various packages with promises of lucrative returns and the victim was interested in participating, before downloading the stock investment application and on Dec 30 made the first transfer of RM9,999 and earning a profit of RM18,400," he said in a statement today.
He said that following that his confidence grew in the investment, the victim then made 35 money transfers between Feb 17 and April 24 into seven bank accounts belonging to different companies involving a total of RM1,495,176.
Hamzah said the man only realised he had been a victim of fraud after failing to withdraw profits on the investment application and was even asked to make an additional payment.
For the second case, he said a 73-year-old elderly man who is a retired accountant at a factory had filed a police report at north-east police headquarters yesterday after also falling victim to an online investment scam involving a loss of RM855,001.
"According to the victim, he saw an investment advertisement for cryptocurrency investments that offered high profits in a short period of time on Facebook in March and the elderly person clicked on the advertisement link before contacting the female suspect via the WhatsApp application," he said.
Hamzah said the victim joined and downloaded the investment application before making 14 transactions to five bank accounts belonging to different companies from April 15 to June 11, but did not receive any profits.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
35 minutes ago
- Malay Mail
Police hunt suspect in Putatan teen sexual assault case linked to viral video
PENAMPANG, June 22 — Police are tracking down a suspect allegedly involved in the sexual assault on a girl in Putatan, near here. Penampang police chief Supt Sammy Newton confirmed that police received a report at 8.09 pm yesterday regarding the sexual assault on 16-year-old female student in Putatan. He said the report was linked to a one-minute and 34-second video clip that went viral after being uploaded on Facebook earlier today. 'However, the case is still under investigation and efforts to track down the suspect are ongoing. 'The case is being investigated under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which carries penalties of imprisonment and whipping upon conviction,' he said in a statement today. He also urged the public not to speculate or circulate unverified information on social media to avoid disrupting the investigation and to protect the rights of the victim. He added that any further information related to the case can be directed to investigating officer Insp Kalista Demson at 011-3398 0319. — Bernama * If you are experiencing sexual violence, the following hotlines offer free and confidential support: Talian Kasih at 15999 or WhatsApp 019-2615999 (24/7); All Women's Action Society at 016-2374221/016-2284221 (9.30am-5.30pm); and Women's Aid Organisation (WAO) at 03-30008858 or SMS/WhatsApp TINA 018-9888058 (24/7)
Barnama
40 minutes ago
- Barnama
U.S. Action In Iran-Israel Conflict Worsens Situation, Undermines Stability
KUCHING, June 22 (Bernama) -- Interference by major powers such as the United States in the Iran-Israel conflict will only worsen the situation and undermine regional stability as well as the global economy, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said today. He said the United States' involvement in the conflict could escalate tensions and have a direct impact on key global trade routes such as the Strait of Hormuz. 'Now, with the involvement of external powers, including the United States, the situation will only become more volatile. If the Strait of Hormuz is blocked, it will pose a major problem to the global economy,' he told reporters after a session with the Sarawak Keadilan Leadership Council here.
The Sun
41 minutes ago
- The Sun
RM1.5 million PHEKS grant approved for Northern Zone unions
BUTTERWORTH: The Human Resources Ministry (KESUMA) has approved 124 applications for the Union Affairs Development Grant (PHEKS), amounting to RM1.5 million, for the Northern Zone, covering Perak, Penang, Kedah and Perlis. Human Resources Minister Steven Sim said this included 26 approved applications worth RM261,988 in Penang; 21 applications worth RM384,670 in Kedah; 15 applications valued at RM211,569 in Perlis; and 52 applications in Perak involving RM656,722. 'Overall, a total of 1,049 PHEKS applications were received this year from various trade unions nationwide, of which 551 applications amounting to RM7.15 million were approved,' he said. 'I hope this allocation will be put to good use to strengthen our unions,' he said at the Northern Zone PHEKS 2025 assistance presentation ceremony here today, which was also attended by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow. This year, the government allocated RM10 million for the implementation of PHEKS, the highest in history, compared with RM5.8 million last year. A total of RM7.15 million was distributed to trade unions under approved clusters, while RM2.85 million was allocated for the outreach and community service programmes. Sim added that his ministry is targeting two million union members nationwide by the end of this year. He expressed confidence in reaching the target, noting that the number of new trade unions formed last year was five times higher than in previous years. He said the MADANI Worker Card initiative has also helped boost trade union membership, which currently stands at one million, by offering discounts of up to 30 per cent at over 200 companies providing essential goods and services to registered members. The PHEKS is a one-off financial aid provided to registered trade unions in Malaysia through the Department of Trade Union Affairs (JHEKS) under the KESUMA to support union-related activities. Trade unions may apply for assistance under five designated clusters: Training and Education; Trade Union Movement Studies; Academic Writing on Labour Issues; purchase of IT equipment such as for the digitalisation of union management records.
