MIRI (July 10): Yet another retiree here has fallen victim for a fraudulent online investment scheme, losing a total of RM200,000.

Miri police chief ACP Mohd Farhan Lee Abdullah said the victim came across an advertisement on Facebook in mid-May offering investment opportunities and clicked on the listed link.

“He was then added into a WhatsApp group called ‘A Gathering of Talents F’ that was supposedly run by investment brokers.

“He was convinced to invest in the scheme, and make five transfers amounting to RM200,000 to two different bank accounts,” said Mohd Farhan in a statement today.

He said the victim realised he had been duped when, in an attempt to withdraw his profits, was told he needed to make further payments.

The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.

Mohd Farhan advised the public to remain vigilant and avoid trusting investment schemes that promise high returns within a short period.

On Wednesday, Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Mancha Ata in a statement said a retiree in his 60s here had also lost RM200,000 to a fraudulent online investment scheme.

He said the victim had come across an advertisement on Facebook and, after clicking the link, was added to a WhatsApp group called ‘Wealth Freedom KLSE’.

Mancha said the victim went on to make two payments of RM100,000 each into a local bank account on June 25 and July 2, and was shown fake investment profit statements to convince him of the scheme’s legitimacy.

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