logo
Elderly e-hailing driver loses RM301,300 in online investment scam

Elderly e-hailing driver loses RM301,300 in online investment scam

The Sun19-07-2025
JOHOR BAHRU: An elderly e-hailing driver lost RM301,300 after falling victim to an online scheme that promised quick and lucrative returns through investments in foreign stocks.
Seri Alam police chief Supt Mohd Sohaimi Ishak said the 67-year-old victim was first introduced to the fraudulent scheme in April by a woman he had just met.
'Believing the woman's promises, the victim made 11 transfers to four different bank accounts, amounting to RM301,300,' he said in a statement.
However, he never received any returns. Instead, he was repeatedly asked to make additional payments, supposedly to facilitate the release of his profits.
Realising he had been scammed when he could no longer reach the woman and failed to recover his investment, the victim lodged a police report on Monday.
Mohd Sohaimi said preliminary checks using the Semak Mule platform by the Commercial Crime Investigation Department revealed that three of the bank accounts involved had been flagged in 27 previous police reports linked to investment scams.
The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years' imprisonment, caning and a fine upon conviction.
He added that investigators are also looking into the existence of mule accounts under Section 424 of the Penal Code, which covers the use of accounts or payment instruments for criminal purposes.
'Upon conviction under Section 424, offenders face a fine of between RM10,000 and RM150,000 or imprisonment of three to 10 years,' he said.
He advised the public to be wary of online investment schemes promising quick and high returns, especially those that appear overly easy or risk-free.
'The public is also urged to verify any investment opportunity with relevant authorities such as the Royal Malaysia Police, Bank Negara Malaysia, or the Securities Commission to ensure its legitimacy,' he added. - Bernama
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

RM200 per passport: Border officers arrested over 'flying passport' racket
RM200 per passport: Border officers arrested over 'flying passport' racket

New Straits Times

time3 hours ago

  • New Straits Times

RM200 per passport: Border officers arrested over 'flying passport' racket

JOHOR BAHRU: Four enforcement officers have been arrested on suspicion of accepting a bribe of RM3,000 while on duty at the motorcycle entry zone checkpoint along the Johor-Singapore border. According to a source from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), the four male suspects, aged between their 20s and 40s, were detained today at the Johor MACC office. "Two main suspects were initially apprehended by the Compliance Unit of the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (MCBA) during an inspection at the counter yesterday. They were subsequently handed over to the MACC. "Following their arrest, two more enforcement officers were detained on suspicion of being complicit in the 'flying passport' activity," the source said. Earlier today, MCBA confirmed the arrest of two enforcement officers on duty at the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex at Bangunan Sultan Iskandar (BSI) last night in connection with the same scheme. MCBA CIQ BSI Commander Roszita Dim said the two male suspects, aged 31 and 49, were detained during a covert monitoring operation conducted by the agency's Compliance Unit starting at 3pm that day. The operation targeted officers stationed at the CIQ complex after suspicious activity was detected around 7.30pm at the vehicle zone checkpoint. Investigations revealed several questionable entries in the visitor log, using the login credentials of one officer at the counter, including records involving foreign nationals previously identified as problematic visitors. The MACC source added that during the arrest, 14 foreign passports, four mobile phones belonging to the main suspects, and approximately RM2,800 in cash were recovered. "Initial investigations suggest that the cash and mobile phones are linked to bribery transactions involving the 'flying passport' scheme. "For each passport stamped without the physical presence of the owner, the suspects allegedly received around RM200," the source said. Meanwhile, Johor MACC deputy director of operations Hairul Ilham Hamzah confirmed the arrests when contacted. He said the case is being investigated under Section 17(a) of the MACC Act 2009. "All suspects will be brought before the Johor Bahru Court for a remand application," he added.

Police dismantle wildlife trafficking syndicate in Perak and Kedah raids
Police dismantle wildlife trafficking syndicate in Perak and Kedah raids

The Sun

time6 hours ago

  • The Sun

Police dismantle wildlife trafficking syndicate in Perak and Kedah raids

PERAK/KEDAH: Police have dismantled an illegal wildlife hunting and trafficking network following raids in Perak and Kedah. The Bukit Aman Wildlife Crime Bureau, alongside local enforcement agencies, arrested five suspects and seized contraband worth over RM350,000. In Lumut, Perak, four men aged 31 to 61 were detained after authorities discovered seven wild boar carcasses, 148 packages of water monitor lizard parts, and 80 packages suspected to contain wild boar meat. A live monitor lizard, a rifle, bullets, and tiger claw pendants were also confiscated. JKDNKA director Datuk Seri Azmi Abu Kassim stated, 'The total value of the items seized in the Lumut raid was estimated at RM150,895.' The case is being investigated under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 and the Arms Act 1960. In Kupang, Kedah, a 30-year-old man was arrested with 20 protected white-rumped sharma birds worth RM200,000. The Kedah Forestry Department is handling further investigations. Azmi highlighted that since January, 178 raids nationwide led to 311 arrests, involving contraband worth RM546.26 million. He urged public cooperation in reporting wildlife crimes. - Bernama

Public urged to use 997 hotline for scam response from September
Public urged to use 997 hotline for scam response from September

The Sun

time6 hours ago

  • The Sun

Public urged to use 997 hotline for scam response from September

KULAI: The public, especially victims of online scams, are urged to use the 997 hotline, which will operate 24 hours as the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) under the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) from September. Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching said the move is expected to improve assistance for victims amid the rising trend of online scams, with 46,817 scam-related advertisements detected this year as of July 15. She said a call to 997 will now be treated as a police report, eliminating the need for victims to lodge a separate report at a police station. 'This will save victims time and hassle,' she told reporters after inspecting a concrete drainage project to address flash floods at Kampung Melayu Bukit Batu here today. Teo said 80 per cent of scam ads are detected on Facebook, often misusing names of high-profile individuals. Last year, 6,297 fraudulent ads were removed across social media platforms. She added she was also a victim when her photos were used in fake ads offering free books by the former Education Minister. 'Even after the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) removed the ads, other accounts uploaded the same scam. I am unhappy with Meta for allowing this to continue,' she said. - Bernama

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store