Pahang:A farmer and agricultural product trader has lost more than RM1.15 million after becoming a victim of a love scam syndicate.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Pahang acting police chief Datuk Azry Akmar Ayob stated that the victim, a 50-year-old woman, began her acquaintance with an individual known as Siew Gui Lim @ Jason via WhatsApp on July 17. Their relationship soon developed, leading to trust.
The suspect posed as a cybersecurity consulting director and offered the victim a gold investment opportunity, promising profits. After the victim made payments for the investment, the suspect introduced a platform called 'Veniec Lottery,' which was claimed to help recover the invested money.
The victim was persuaded to make several deposits to obtain profits and bonuses, transferring a total of RM1,150,034.70 to seven bank accounts. This money came from her savings and loans from family members. Unfortunately, the victim was unable to withdraw any money and then realized she had been scammed.
The case is currently under investigation under Section 420 of the Penal Code. Azry Akmar advised the public to be cautious of individuals who use relationships to persuade them into financial transactions. He recommended checking account and phone numbers through the Semak Mule platform before proceeding with any financial dealings.
The public is also urged to contact the National Scam Response Centre at 997 or file a police report if they suspect they have been scammed.