MIRI: A man lost almost RM400,000 to an online job scam that promised lucrative commissions but instead drained his savings and left him borrowing money from family members.
The victim who is in his early 50s was duped into transferring RM396,850 to a syndicate after being offered what appeared to be a legitimate part-time income opportunity through WhatsApp and an online e-commerce platform.
Miri Police Chief ACP Mohd Farhan Lee Abdullah said the victim was contacted by an individual known only as “Lim”, who claimed he could earn a 10 per cent commission by managing customer purchase orders online.
To participate, the victim was instructed to make advance payments for orders supposedly being processed and shipped by a factory.
What initially appeared to be a profitable venture quickly turned into a financial trap.
The victim was repeatedly directed to transfer money into several bank accounts while the platform displayed increasing profits.
However, every attempt to withdraw the earnings was blocked, with the victim being told to make additional payments for various reasons.
By the time he realised he had been deceived, he had lost RM396,850, comprising his personal savings and funds borrowed from relatives.
Police urged the public to be wary of online advertisements or job offers promising unusually high returns within a short period.
Members of the public are advised to verify investment or business opportunities through relevant authorities, including Bank Negara Malaysia and the Securities Commission Malaysia, before committing any funds.
Anyone who has recently transferred money to suspected scam accounts is urged to contact the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) immediately by dialling 997 to increase the chances of freezing the funds.
The public can also check suspicious phone numbers and bank accounts through the Semak Mule portal before carrying out any financial transactions.
Police also encouraged the public to follow official commercial crime social media channels for updates on the latest scam tactics employed by syndicates.
