A 63-year-old woman from Wakaf Tembusu, Kuala Nerus, reported losing RM87,975.04 after falling victim to an online investment scam, authorities said.
The victim encountered an advertisement for a stock investment scheme on Facebook on October 3 and subsequently communicated with a male suspect via WhatsApp to obtain further details. According to Kuala Terengganu district police chief Asst Comm Azli Mohd Noor, the suspect promised unusually high returns, claiming investors would receive RM25,000 for every RM450 invested.
Encouraged by the prospect of substantial profits, the victim made nine payments totaling RM87,975.04 between October 3 and 12. The funds were sourced from her personal savings as well as proceeds from pawning her jewelry, ACP Azli said.
The victim grew suspicious after neither recovering her initial investment nor receiving any promised returns. Efforts to reach the suspect proved futile, prompting her to file a police report at 7:58 p.m. on October 19.
Authorities have urged the public to exercise caution when considering investment opportunities promoted online, especially those promising unusually high returns in a short period. The investigation is ongoing.