WhatsApp Messages, Fake Returns and RM908,000 Gone

Online scam syndicates continue to exploit investors and job seekers across Malaysia, with two men in Miri collectively losing more than RM908,000 in separate fraud cases involving a fake investment scheme and a fraudulent online job offer.

According to Miri district police chief ACP Mohd Farhan Lee Abdullah, both victims were local men in their early 50s who were persuaded to part with substantial sums of money after being presented with seemingly attractive financial opportunities online.

The larger of the two losses involved a victim who was drawn into a non-existent online investment scheme. The case was reported to police on 30 May after the man lost RM511,406.

Investigations revealed that the victim was first approached through WhatsApp on 18 March. The individuals behind the scheme promoted an investment platform that allegedly offered high returns within a short period, a common tactic used by fraud syndicates to create a sense of urgency and encourage participation.

Convinced that the opportunity was genuine, the victim began transferring funds into bank accounts provided by the scammers. Between 1 April and 24 May, he carried out a total of 25 transactions.

As the scheme progressed, the victim was repeatedly led to believe that significant profits were accumulating. However, despite making multiple payments, he never received any returns. Instead, he was continuously instructed to transfer additional funds under various pretexts, including supposed processing requirements and account-related charges.

The victim eventually realised that the promised profits did not exist and that he had been deceived by a fraudulent investment operation.

In a separate incident reported on 1 June, another man suffered losses amounting to RM396,850 after becoming involved in a fake online part-time job scheme.

Police said the victim was contacted through WhatsApp by an individual identifying himself as “Lim”, who offered him an opportunity to earn income by managing customer purchase orders through an online platform linked to e-commerce activities.

The offer appeared straightforward and profitable. The victim was promised a commission of 10 per cent for every completed transaction and was told that advance payments were necessary to process and deliver products to customers.

Believing he was participating in a legitimate business activity, the victim followed the instructions and transferred money to multiple bank accounts over time.

Although the online system displayed what appeared to be growing profits, the earnings remained inaccessible. Whenever the victim attempted to withdraw his funds, he was instructed to make further payments. The cycle continued until he eventually discovered that the profits shown on the platform were fictitious.

The financial impact was particularly severe, as the losses involved not only the victims personal savings but also money borrowed from family members.

Mohd Farhan said both investigations are being conducted under Section 420 of the Penal Code, which relates to cheating offences.

He noted that such scams frequently operate under the guise of investment opportunities, task-based jobs, merchant programmes or e-commerce activities. Victims are typically attracted by promises of unusually high returns or commissions, while the profits displayed on the platforms are controlled entirely by the syndicates behind the fraud.

Authorities have urged members of the public to exercise caution when approached with investment offers or employment opportunities that guarantee substantial returns within a short timeframe. Financial opportunities that appear excessively profitable often warrant closer scrutiny.

The public is also encouraged to verify the legitimacy of investment schemes through Bank Negara Malaysia and the Securities Commission Malaysia. Suspicious phone numbers and bank accounts can be checked using the CCID Check Scammers service and the Semak Mule portal before any money is transferred.

Police further advised individuals who have recently sent funds to suspected scam accounts to contact the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) immediately by calling 997, as prompt reporting may improve the chances of recovering lost funds.