BINTULU: A factory supervisor was left RM180,000 poorer after he fell prey to a non-existent investment scheme promising lucrative profits.
The incident happened in early September when the man, in his late 50s, encountered the investment scheme through a Facebook advertisement, which led him to communicate with an unknown individual via WhatsApp.
Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Mancha Ata said that the suspect introduced the victim to an investment opportunity with high return profits, and instructed him to download the ‘AE Online’ application to begin his investment.
“He then proceeded to transfer a sum of RM180,000 in stages into bank accounts provided by the suspect.
“However, the man soon realised he had been cheated when he did not receive the promised profit and was asked to make more payments,” he said.
Mancha said the man reported the incident to the police and the case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating and dishonestly inducing the delivery of property.
In light of this, the public is advised not to be easily fooled by online investment offers and to conduct thorough checks before making any investments.
For verification, the public is advised to consult the lists of authorised companies and websites on www.bnm.gov.my or contact Bank Negara Malaysia at 1-300-88-5465, as well as the Malaysian Securities Commission at www.sc.com.my or 03-6204 8999.
