SIBU: A hotel executive’s bid to grow his savings through a promising online investment turned disastrous when he was cheated of RM89,500 by a syndicate operating under the name “MML Max.”
Sibu police chief ACP Zulkipli Suhaili said the victim, a man in his 40s, came across an investment advertisement on Facebook in August this year.
“Drawn by the offer of lucrative returns, he clicked on a link attached to the post and was directed to download an application related to the investment.
“Believing the platform was genuine, the victim made six separate transactions amounting to RM89,500 to three different local bank accounts as part of the supposed investment,” he said.
Initially, the victim managed to withdraw RM1,000 on two occasions, which further convinced him of the investment’s legitimacy. However, he was later asked to make additional payments, allegedly to process profit withdrawals.
The man grew suspicious and realised he had been scammed before filing a police report with the Sibu Commercial Crime Investigation Division (CCID) yesterday (Oct 20).
He stated that the case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating and inducing the delivery of property.
In light of this, Zulkipli reminded the public to be cautious of investment offers promising high returns and to verify the legitimacy of companies or websites through official channels.
Members of the public are advised to check company listings via Bank Negara Malaysia’s website http://www.bnm.gov.my or contact BNM Telelink at 1-300-88-5465, and through the Securities Commission Malaysia’s website http://www.sc.com.my or hotline 03-6204 8999.
Individuals may also verify investment operators via the Investment Checker app or at https://www.sc.com.my/investment-checker.
For further advice or information, the public can contact the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) at 997, follow @CyberCrimeAlertRMP and @JSJKPDRM on Facebook, or check suspicious bank accounts and phone numbers via http://ccid.rmp.gov.my/semak
