Sibu woman falls victim to online investment scam, loses over RM500,000

By William Isau

SIBU, Nov 22: A woman’s hope of making high returns in an online investment plan ended up in flames as she lost RM549,000 instead.

Sibu district police chief ACP Zulkipli Suhaili said the 50-year-old woman, who is the senior officer of a local supermarket, had filed a police report on November 21 claiming that she was cheated in a non-existent online investment.

Her troubles started on September 1 when she saw an advertisement on social media for an investment plan that promised high returns.

Enticed by the offer, the victim contacted the suspect via WhatsApp.

“After that, the victim was added to a WhatsApp group called SPDR-AIA Super Plan,” said ACP Zulkipli.

Following that, the suspect provided a link and asked the victim to download an application to share the victim’s details and for her to make a payment to start the investment.

ACP Zulkipli said the victim had, from October 30 to November 14, made an investment payment amounting to RM549,000 in 12 transactions into three local bank accounts.

“After the transactions were made, she wanted to withdraw the investment money but the suspect informed her that if she wanted to withdraw it, she had to make a payment of RM981,540,” he added.

The victim grew suspicious and realised that she had been deceived. She filed a police report on November 21.

The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating. — DayakDaily

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