A 53-year-old female doctor has lost a staggering RM8.7 million in a bogus online stock investment scam.
Johor Bahru South Deputy Police Chief Superintendent Azrul Husain revealed that the victim was first lured in back in April after coming across an investment advertisement on social media that promised extremely high returns. Intrigued by the offer, she contacted the individual behind the ad, who claimed the investment would yield returns of up to 520%.
“Believing the promise of high profits, the victim transferred a total of RM8.7 million into several bank accounts between May and July, following the scammer’s instructions,” Azrul said in a statement posted on Facebook yesterday.
Despite the massive investment, the victim only received RM6,033 in returns. She was later told she had to pay an additional RM500,000 in ‘deposit fees’ if she wanted to withdraw her original investment.
The scammer also allegedly threatened the victim, warning that her investment account would be frozen if she refused to pay.
Realizing she had been conned, the doctor lodged a police report on July 29. The case is now being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.
