SIBU: A chance encounter on a dating app turned into a costly nightmare for a woman in sales and marketing, who lost RM102,992.40 in a smooth-talking scammer’s fake investment scheme.
According to Sibu Police Chief, ACP Zulkipli Suhaili, the woman, in her 30s, lodged a police report on April 24 after realising she had fallen victim to fraud.
“The victim claimed that it all started on January 11 when she matched with a man on Bumble who introduced himself as Lucian Lee Hao Yu, supposedly an engineer and director at the prestigious Hong Leong Group.
“He later contacted her via WhatsApp and persuaded her to invest in a private placement scheme through a website he provided (privatemutuallg.com),” Zulkipli said in a statement today.
Convinced by the man’s pitch, the victim, between February 6 and March 6, had transferred money 12 times – a total of RM102,992.40 – into three separate local bank accounts.
Desperate to keep up with the payments, she even took out a bank loan at the scammer’s request but the promised returns never came.
The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.
Zulkipli advised the public to be vigilant of offers promising high profits or returns.
“Always verify unlicensed companies or websites via www.bnm.gov.my/BNM TELELINK 1-300-88-5465 (Bank Negara Malaysia) and www.sc.com.my/03-62048999 (Securities Commission Malaysia).
“Individuals or investment companies can also be checked using the Investment Checker application or through the website https://www.sc.com.my/investment-checker,” he said.
For further advice or information, the public may contact the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) at 997 and follow the Facebook pages @CyberCrimeAlertRMP and @JSJKPDRM.
“You may also verify suspicious bank accounts and phone numbers through http://ccid.rmp.gov.my/semakmule/,” Zulkipli said.
