BINTULU: A 60-something company executive here lost nearly RM600,000 in a non-existent online investment scam.
The incident began in early March this year when the victim came across an investment advertisement while browsing a website at home.
Intrigued by a currency investment offered by a company, the victim clicked on a link and was later contacted by an unknown individual who introduced himself as a representative of J.P. Morgan.
The suspect then instructed the victim to download an application via another link.
The victim proceeded to invest on the platform, making multiple staged transactions into bank accounts provided by the suspect, totalling RM600,000.
Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Mancha Ata said the victim became suspicious when the suspect continued to demand additional payments to enable the victim to withdraw the so-called profits.
“As of the time the police report was made, the victim had only managed to recover RM441 from the fake currency investment platform,” he said in a statement.
Meanwhile, the police are urging the public to be cautious of online investment scams and to verify companies through official sites like Bank Negara and the Securities Commission Malaysia.
Victims of cybercrime scams who have transferred money are also advised to contact the National Scam Response Centre at 997 immediately.
Tools such as the police’s Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) Semak Mule, the Whoscall app, and the investment checker at https://www.sc.com.my/investment-checker can help detect fraud and prevent financial losses.
Similarly, checks on suspicious phone numbers or bank account numbers can be done using the CCID Check Scammers app or via the Semak Mule portal at http://semakmule.rmp.gov.my before making any financial transactions.
