KUALA LUMPUR: A retired civil servant lost RM2.9 million after being duped by the P Trade Pro investment scam in October.
Federal Commercial Crime Investigation Department director, Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf, said the 68-year-old woman had come across an advertisement about the investment scheme via Instagram.
"She contacted the number and was subsequently added to a messaging group.
"She was then briefed on the scheme and instructed to make payments via several bank accounts provided," he said when contacted today.
He said investigations revealed the victim made 34 payments to eight bank accounts amounting to RM2.9 million.
Ramli said investigations revealed the syndicate promised profits of over RM6 million three days after she made the investment but has not paid out the profits to her.
"The victim lodged a police report on Dec 12 and the case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating," he said.
Meanwhile, Ramli said they have investigated 5,791 fraudulent investment cases between January and November this year involving RM745 million in losses.
"Based on our checks, many of these syndicates used Telegram to promote their activities with 1,832 cases recorded involving the use of the messaging application.
"Facebook came in second place with 1,436 cases reported followed by WhatsApp with 1,378 cases reported," he said.