4 days ago
Housewife loses RM129,420 in Telegram job scam
JERANTUT: A housewife in Jerantut lost RM129,420 after falling victim to a job scam promoted via the Telegram messaging app, which falsely used the name of a legitimate company.
Jerantut deputy district police chief Deputy Superintendent Mohd Azahari Mukhtar said the victim received the offer on Aug 8.
The job was supposedly to evaluate products and write reviews in return for commissions.
He said the woman then communicated with an individual posing as an agent, who instructed her to make several payments under various pretexts, including task fees, company collaboration charges, and technical service fees.
"Starting from Aug 13, the victim made multiple bank transfers to several local accounts. The total losses amounted to RM129,420.
"On Aug 14, she was asked to make another payment but became suspicious," he said in a statement today.
The victim later lodged a police report at the Jerantut Police Station.
"It is understood that the money came from her savings and her husband's business earnings.
"The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating," he added.
Police have urged the public to be cautious of online job offers promising high returns and to verify account numbers using the official portal before making any transactions.
