KUCHING: A gullible 50-something Padawan resident was fleeced out of RM200,000 in a fraudulent stock investment scheme on Facebook.
According to Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Mohd Azman Ahmad Sapri, the victim’s interest in stock investment was piqued when he was browsing Facebook in September.
“Subsequently, the victim engaged with an unknown investment agent via WhatsApp, and his phone number was added to the WhatsApp investment group.
“The suspect provided instructions on how to make the investment, and the victim was asked to make payments to the bank account provided by the suspect. Additionally, the victim was promised a 30 per cent profit on his investment,” he said.
The victim conducted a total of eight online fund transfer transactions, amounting to approximately RM200,000. These transactions occurred both online and at bank counters, and the funds were directed to four company accounts between early September and mid-October for investment purposes.
It was only when the victim failed to receive the promised returns that he became aware of the deception.
Also, the suspect had insisted on additional payments from the victim.
As a result, the victim made the decision to report the case to the police.
The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the law, which pertains to fraud and dishonestly inducing the delivery of property.
