KUALA TERENGGANU: A construction site supervisor lost RM118,800 after being lured into a non-existent investment scheme.
Kuala Terengganu district police chief ACP Azli Mohd Noor said that the 39-year-old victim fell for the scam after an unknown individual added him to a WhatsApp group on April 21.
The victim became intrigued by the discussions and profits shared by other group members and was duped into parting with his money when an individual contacted him.
The individual encouraged him to invest based on recommendations from a mentor named 'Joel Kim'.
The victim was attracted to the investment after being promised profits of five to nine per cent within three to five days for an initial capital of RM5,000. The returns were to be disbursed in either Malaysian Ringgit or Chinese Yuan.
Azli said that the victim, from Manir, participated in virtual tutorials conducted five days a week by 'Joel Kim' for several months.
During this period, he made 12 transactions totalling RM118,800, transferring the money to two different bank accounts.
However, when the victim attempted to withdraw a profit of RM2,000, he encountered difficulties and lodged a police report.
The victim had utilised his Amanah Saham Nasional Berhad savings for the investment.
The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code. — BERNAMA