By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, July 21: A retired businessman in his 70s has lost more than RM800,000 after falling victim to a non-existent online investment scheme in Sibu, Sarawak.
According to Sarawak Police Commissioner Dato Mancha Ata, the victim was browsing Facebook from his home in mid-June 2025 when he came across an online investment opportunity called “GVD Coins.” Believing it to be legitimate, he asked his family to help provide funds to invest in the scheme.
Despite repeated warnings and advice from his family not to fall for such offers, the victim proceeded to make multiple transactions into a bank account provided by the scammer, totalling over RM800,000.
A police report was later lodged after the victim realised he had not received any returns from the so-called investment.
“Until the report was made, the victim had yet to receive any profit, indicating that the scheme was fake,” Mancha said in a statement today.
He reminded the public not to be easily deceived by online investment offers that promise unusually high returns in a short period of time.
The public is also urged to verify the legitimacy of investment companies and websites by checking with official sources such as Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) at www.bnm.gov.my or BNM TELELINK (1-300-88-5465), and the Securities Commission Malaysia at www.sc.com.my or 03-62048999.
Victims of cybercrime, including phone scams, love scams, fake online loans and e-commerce fraud, who have recently transferred money to scammers’ accounts, are advised to immediately contact the National Scam Response Center (NSRC) at 997.
Additionally, the public is encouraged to download the Whoscall app to help identify potential scam calls. This app is linked to the police’s Scam Caller database and can mark suspicious numbers accordingly.
For further protection, individuals can check investment entities via the Investment Checker (https://www.sc.com.my/investment-checker) and verify phone numbers or bank accounts using the Semak Mule CCID app or the website http://semakmule.rmp.gov.my.
Follow @JSJKPDRM and @CyberCrimeAlertRMP on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok for updates on scam tactics and fraud prevention tips. — DayakDaily
