KUCHING: An insurance agent found herself RM140,000 poorer after being drawn into a deceptive online job opportunity.
The unfortunate incident happened on August 27, when the victim, a woman in her mid-30s, was added to two WhatsApp and Telegram groups.
Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Mohd Azman Ahmad Sapri revealed that she encountered an individual named ‘Gerry,’ who is the prime suspect in this online job scam.
The suspect enticed the victim with the promise of a lucrative online part-time job, assuring her that she could easily earn money by subscribing to a YouTube channel.
“According to the scheme, each subscription to the YouTube channel supposedly came with an incentive of RM8.90, with the potential to accumulate earnings of up to RM219.80.
“Believing in this opportunity, the victim registered an account through a link provided within the Telegram group.
“Subsequently, the victim was instructed to click on a logo within the application, and she transferred a total of RM140,000 into five bank accounts through nine transactions, all of which took place towards the end of August,” he explained.
The victim’s hopes were shattered when the promised profits failed to materialise. In the end, she only managed to recover a meagre refund of RM300.
The victim promptly reported the incident to the police on Friday, September 1st, and the Sarawak Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) is now handling the case under Section 420 of the Penal Code.
In light of this, the public is strongly advised not to fall for online job offers that seem too good to be true on social media.
It is crucial to avoid entertaining unknown phone calls and to immediately inform partners, friends, or family members if such calls are received.
