RM600k gone: Research officer falls for WhatsApp investment scam
KUANTAN: A 57-year-old research officer from Rompin lost over half a million ringgit of her life savings to a non-existent investment scheme — in less than two months.
Pahang police chief Datuk Seri Yahaya Othman said the woman was lured in after receiving an initial RM1,000 profit from her first online investment, only to be defrauded of RM600,500 in total.
He said the victim was added to a WhatsApp group named "K81 Lombard Stock Investment Academy" on March 21 this year.
"She was instructed to download an application via a link shared in the group. Her first investment of RM14,000 generated a RM1,000 return, which was credited into her account along with her capital.
"Encouraged by the initial profit, she proceeded to make 28 transactions totalling RM600,500 into three different bank accounts between April 23 and June 4. The app claimed her investment had grown to over RM300,000 in profit," he said in a statement today.
However, when the woman tried to withdraw RM50,000, she was told to pay RM200,000 as a "service charge". Realising she had been scammed, she lodged a police report yesterday.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
4 hours ago
- The Star
Vietnam top carmaker VinFast's revenue surges as EV deliveries jump
HANOI (Agencies): Vietnam's VinFast said its first-quarter revenue more than doubled as deliveries of its electric vehicles jumped nearly four times in the three-month period. Revenue grew 150% to US$656.5 million in the January-March period compared with analysts' average estimate of US$520 million, according to data compiled by LSEG. The EV startup made the statement at a conference on expanding localization and developing supplier systems that it organised on Monday. Accordingly, the manufacturer will offer a 50% discount on land rental fees for the first three years and 20% for the next five years for businesses that are its suppliers when developing factories at two VinFast complexes in Hai Phong city and Ha Tinh province. In addition to support in terms of premises, VinFast commits to buying its suppliers' all products per plans agreed with them. It will also connect the domestic suppliers with foreign companies according to their demand. "As a result, VinFast's suppliers can receive technology and experience transfer, gradually improve international competitiveness and proactively participate in the global supply chain," it said in a release. The carmaker aims to have the localization rate of its products rise to 80% by 2026. At the end of 2024, Le Ngoc Anh, director of VinFast Vietnam, had disclosed that the localization of its EVs was more than 60%, including the body, engine, roof, and shock absorbers. Compared to internal combustion engine vehicles assembled in Vietnam, this rate is quite high, because the highest localization rate of gasoline and diesel vehicles in the country is about 40%, according to VinFast. The company noted that its method of calculating the localization rate is similar to that of the Ministry of Industry and Trade and other car companies in Vietnam. VinFast was founded in 2017 by billionaire Pham Nhat Vuong, who is currently the company's CEO. In 2022, it switched to the production and sales of EVs. In 2025, the firm aims to sell 200,000 cars. In the first four months of this year, it sold nearly 44,700 cars, completing about 22.3% of the year's plan and leading the domestic market. In 2024, VinFast reaped over VND44,000 billion ($1.8 billion) in revenue, up 58% from 2023. However, the company suffered a net loss of more than VND77,354 billion (over $3 billion) last year. - Reuters
The Star
4 hours ago
- The Star
Brunei employer fined RM115,000 for unpaid wages to a domestic helper since 2008
Image from The Star/Asia News Network BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (Borneo Bulletin/ANN): A local man was ordered to pay a total fine of BND35,200 (RM115,000) or face 98 weeks' imprisonment by the Magistrate's Court for failing to pay his domestic helper's salary since 2008. 59-year-old Awang Aji bin Eya pleaded guilty to 98 charges before Magistrate Syaffina Shahif on May 21. The court imposed a BND200 fine for each of the first 20 charges, in default one week's imprisonment for each, and a BND400 fine for each of the remaining 78 charges, also in default one week's imprisonment for each. The first 20 charges were framed under the now-repealed Section 108(1) of the former Labour Act, punishable under Section 120(b) of the same Act, for offences committed before September 3, 2009. The remaining 78 charges were under Section 39(1) of the Employment Order, carrying penalties under Section 148 of the same legislation. The case involved the non-payment of the domestic helper's wages from 2008, despite being employed since 2000. The court, invoking Section 130 of the Labour Act and Section 140 of the Employment Order, further ordered that BND20,433 of the fine be paid to the domestic helper, representing the total sum of unpaid wages owed. The defendant was given until February 3, 2026, to make full payment, failing which he will have to serve the default custodial sentence of 98 weeks' imprisonment. – Borneo Bulletin/ANN
Malaysian Reserve
5 hours ago
- Malaysian Reserve
SST expands from July, but essentials stay tax-free
by AUFA MARDHIAH STARTING July 1, 2025, the government will expand the Sales and Service Tax (SST) to include more luxury goods and service sectors — but essential items and key services for Malaysians will remain tax-free. 'To ensure the majority of the people are not affected by the SST review, the MADANI Government is taking a targeted approach to ensure basic goods and services are not taxed. 'In addition, various facilities are also provided to reduce the impact on micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs),' said the Finance Minister 2, Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan (picture), in a statement. The move is part of efforts to strengthen the country's finances without raising the cost of living for most people. Under the updated rules, essential goods like rice, vegetables, cooking oil, medicine, books, pet food, cement, sand, and farming supplies will continue to be exempt from sales tax. According to the ministry, this is to protect the cost of living and keep inflation under control. However, some non-essential and luxury items will now be taxed. A 5% sales tax will apply to things like king crab, truffle mushrooms, imported fruits, essential oils, silk fabrics, and industrial machinery. Premium items such as racing bicycles and antique artwork will be taxed at 10%. The service tax will also be extended to six new sectors — rental and leasing, construction, financial services, private healthcare, education, and beauty services. The tax rates will range from 6% to 8%, depending on the type of service and revenue earned. For rental and leasing services, an 8% tax will be charged only if the company earns more than RM500,000 a year. Exemptions include residential property rentals, reading materials, overseas leasing, and MSMEs earning below the threshold. Construction services will face a 6% tax if the provider earns over RM1.5 million a year. Housing projects and public facilities are exempt, and B2B transactions may also qualify for relief to avoid double taxation. In finance, only services with fees or commissions will be taxed at 8%. Basic services like savings accounts, interest charges, and Islamic financing will remain tax-free. Other exemptions include forex gains, remittances, and life or medical insurance brokerage. Private healthcare will only be taxed for non-Malaysians at a 6% rate. Malaysians will remain exempt from both public and private healthcare costs, including traditional treatments and allied health services such as physiotherapy, audiology, and speech therapy. In education, private schools that charge more than RM60,000 per student per year will be taxed. However, Malaysian students in all education levels will not be affected. Special exemption will also be given to students with disabilities. Beauty services like facials and hairstyling will be taxed at 8%, but only if the business earns more than RM500,000 annually. The government will give companies time to adjust and has promised no penalties for non-compliance until the end of 2025. 'The additional revenue from this improved SST will support further enhancements in public services, particularly in expanding cash assistance to the people and improving infrastructure and service delivery nationwide,' he said further. Businesses are encouraged to check if they fall under the new tax rules and to consult the Royal Malaysian Customs Department for guidance. The measure forms part of the government's broader MADANI economic framework aimed at strengthening Malaysia's social safety net and promoting targeted taxation without increasing the cost of living for the general public.
