Copyright dayakdaily
By DayakDaily Team KUCHING, Oct 30: A total of RM10,731,235.38 has been lost to non-existent online investment scams involving 92 cases in Kuching District from January 1 to October 30 this year. Kuching District Police Chief ACP Alexson Naga Chabu said in a statement today that the latest victim, a 46-year-old local woman, was cheated of RM255,834.50 through an online investment application called “MML-MAX”. He said the victim’s phone number was added to a WhatsApp group under the name “Merrill Lynch & Co Inc TA/TA” on August 26 this year, while she was at home. “The group promoted an online share investment scheme that promised fast profits. After reading positive feedback from other group members, the victim became interested and was instructed to download the MML-MAX application,” read the statement. Throughout the period of her so-called investment, the victim made 15 transactions into six different bank accounts. However, when she later attempted to withdraw her displayed profits, she was met with various excuses from the so-called investment administrators. Realising she had been deceived, the victim lodged a police report. The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating and dishonestly inducing the delivery of property. The offence carries a penalty of imprisonment of between one and ten years, whipping, and a fine upon conviction. Police urge the public to remain cautious and avoid engaging with online investment offers spread via social media or messaging platforms. Members of the public who receive suspicious investment advertisements are advised to verify with the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) before making any transactions, or contact the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) via the 997 hotline to report online fraud cases. —DayakDaily
