Johor police are investigating two separate online investment scams that led to combined losses of over $21,500 (approximately RM102,024), underscoring the increasing threat of digital fraud in Malaysia, reports the Star.
Johor Baru South police chief Asst Comm Raub Selamat revealed that a 34-year-old teacher lost about $16,800 (RM80,524) after being deceived into investing in a fake cryptocurrency scheme by a man she met on the matchmaking website Baitul Muslim. Between March 10 and March 13, 2025, she transferred nearly $23,000 (RM110,510) across multiple transactions into different bank accounts, receiving only $6,300 (RM29,985) before realising she had been scammed. Police checks through the CCID Semak Mule application found that one of the bank accounts used had prior fraud records.
In the second case, a 58-year-old surveyor lost approximately $4,500 (RM21,500) after falling victim to a fraudulent stock investment scheme promoted through a Facebook advertisement. A scammer posing as a customer service agent named "Sara" convinced him to invest, promising a 50% return. Another individual, "Ellie," claimed to be an account manager and directed him to register on the Silegax Exchange app. Between December 11, 2024, and March 10, 2025, the victim made six online payments to various accounts. He realised the scam when no returns were received, and the fraudsters continued to demand more payments under the guise of unlocking his investment profits.
Both cases are being investigated under Section 420 of Malaysia’s Penal Code, which carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison, whipping, and a fine upon conviction.
ACP Raub warned that online investment scams are growing in sophistication, targeting even professionals such as teachers, doctors, and government officials. He urged the public to remain cautious of investment offers promising high returns in a short time and to verify suspicious phone numbers and bank accounts using Truecaller or the CCID Semak Mule application.
Authorities encourage victims of fraud to report cases to the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) by calling 997 and to follow the Commercial Crime Investigation Department (JSJK) on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for updates on scam tactics.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
