KUCHING, Oct 31: A Padawan-based retail store owner, in his early 50s, lost RM200,000 after becoming victim of an investment scam that was promoted on Facebook.
According to Sarawak Commissioner of Police Datuk Mohd Azman Ahmad Sapri, the incident transpired in September when the victim engaged with an unidentified investment agent via WhatsApp.
“Upon contacting this individual, the victim was added to an investment WhatsApp group and briefed on the investment scheme.
“The victim was required to purchase shares by making payment to an account provided by the suspect. He was also promised a 30 per cent profit return from his investment,” he explained in a statement today.
The victim conducted eight online transactions through a bank counter, totalling around RM200,000, to four different company accounts between early September and mid-October this year for the purported investment opportunity.
He only realised he was deceived as he had not received any returns on his investment as promised so far, while the suspect had demanded for further payments.
A police report has been lodged by the victim.
Mohd Azman said the case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating and dishonestly induces the person deceived to deliver any property, which carries an imprisonment term of not more than 10 years, with mandatory whipping and possible fines upon convicted. — DayakDaily
