RM91,000 Gone: Fake Telegram Investment Traps Kuching Woman

A 35-year-old woman in Kuching has lost RM91,000 after being duped by a fake investment scheme promoted through the Telegram messaging app.

According to Kuching police chief ACP Alexson Naga Chabu, the victim lodged a police report on Jan 11 after realising she had been cheated. She was first approached by an unknown individual on Telegram who introduced what appeared to be a high-return investment opportunity. Enticed by the promise of quick and lucrative profits, she agreed to participate.

Following the instructions given, the woman transferred money in stages to several bank accounts provided by the scammer. In total, she made five separate transactions to five different accounts, amounting to RM91,000. At the time, she believed the transfers were part of the investment process.

Her suspicions were raised when she later tried to withdraw her capital and the promised returns but was unable to do so. Repeated attempts to contact the individual failed, and she eventually realised the investment scheme did not exist.

Police have classified the case under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating, and investigations are ongoing. Authorities continue to remind the public to be cautious of investment offers circulating on social media and messaging platforms, especially those promising unusually high returns.

To reduce the risk of falling victim to such scams, investors are encouraged to verify the legitimacy of brokers and platforms before committing any funds. WikiFX provides tools that allow users to check regulatory status, broker backgrounds, risk ratings and user feedback, helping investors identify red flags early and protect their savings from fraudulent schemes.