A 50-year-old farmer and agricultural products trader in Pahang lost more than RM1.15 million after falling victim to a love scam involving a man who allegedly lured her into a fake gold investment.
Acting Pahang police chief Datuk Azry Akmar Ayob said the woman met a person using the name Siew Gui Lim @ Jason through WhatsApp on July 17, and their relationship gradually became closer.
The suspect allegedly claimed to be a cybersecurity consultancy director before offering the victim a gold investment scheme with promised returns.
“After the victim made payments related to the investment, the suspect introduced a platform called ‘Veniec Lottery’, allegedly as a way to recover the investment money,” Azry said in a statement on Saturday.
The victim was subsequently persuaded to make several deposits in order to receive profits and bonuses.
She eventually transferred a total of RM1,150,034.70 through various transactions to seven bank accounts. The money reportedly came from her own savings as well as loans from family members.
However, the victim was unable to withdraw the money and later realised she had been deceived.
The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code.
Azry urged the public to be cautious of individuals who use friendship or romantic relationships to persuade victims to invest money or hand over funds.
He also advised the public to check bank account and telephone numbers through the Semak Mule platform before carrying out any financial transactions.
Anyone who suspects they have fallen victim to a scam should immediately contact the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) at 997 or lodge a police report.
