A retired government servant has suffered losses amounting to RM914,209 after falling victim to an online investment scam that did not exist.
Mukah district police chief DSP Muhamad Rizal Alias said the report was lodged at 2.20pm on Tuesday at the Mukah district police headquarters. He said initial investigations found that the 56-year-old man was attracted to an investment advertisement promoted on Facebook under the name Arctic Tern Advisory on 22 December 2025.
The victim was later contacted by an individual who introduced himself as “Kamil” before being added into a WhatsApp group managed by several others claiming to represent the investment scheme. The group then persuaded him to invest through a platform known as Setia Capital Trading with an initial capital of RM300.
Police said the suspects claimed the scheme used an AI-based “robot auto-system trade” which allegedly generated high and fast returns, with the victim later shown supposed profits reaching RM87,124 to gain his confidence.
However, before the profits could be withdrawn, the victim was instructed to make multiple additional payments under various pretexts, including redemption fees, bank security protection charges and account limit upgrades.
Between 22 December 2025 and 6 March 2026, the victim carried out 88 transactions involving 32 different bank accounts across six banks, totalling RM914,209.
He only realised he had been cheated when no profits or original investment funds were credited back into his account.
The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.
Police have once again reminded the public to exercise caution when dealing with investment offers on social media and to verify any company through official regulatory lists, including those maintained by Bank Negara Malaysia.
