Investment scam costs factory supervisor her life savings of RM130,000

The Star

22-04-2025

MUAR: A 46-year-old woman has lost RM130,000 of her savings after falling victim to a nonexistent investment scheme she came across via Telegram.
Muar OCPD Asst Comm Raiz Mukhliz Azman Aziz said the victim, a factory supervisor, was added to a Telegram group promoting an investment opportunity that promised high and fast returns.
'Attracted by the prospect, she contacted a supposed investment administrator via WhatsApp who explained the available packages, required capital, and expected profits.
'The victim chose a package requiring an initial investment of RM5,000, with a promised return of RM225,000 within three to six hours,' he said in a statement on Tuesday (April 22).
On April 15, the victim transferred RM5,000 to a bank account provided by the suspect, he said.
She was then given a link to a website that appeared to show the promised RM225,000 credited into her account.
'However, she was told she needed to make several additional payments, including service charges, to withdraw her returns,' ACP Raiz Mukhliz added.
Desperate to claim the sizable profit, the woman then made seven separate deposits into multiple bank accounts, totalling RM125,000.
'She grew suspicious when she was unable to withdraw both her capital and the so-called profits.
"By then, she had already lost RM130,000 – her life savings,' he said.
The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating, which carries a jail term of between one and 10 years, caning, and a fine upon conviction.
ACP Raiz Mukhliz urged the public not to fall for offers that seem too good to be true and to exercise caution when dealing with online financial transactions.
'Stay informed on the latest scam tactics by following updates from the Commercial Crime Investigation Department on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok,' he said.