‘Astute’ app investment scam costs Sibu civil servant over RM404,000

A woman in her 30s has lost more than RM400,000 after falling victim to an online investment scam that was promoted on social media.

According to Acting Sibu police chief Supt Boniface Bajai, the Commercial Crime Investigation Department received a report on Feb 24 regarding the incident. The victim, a local civil servant, told police she first came across an investment advertisement on Facebook in October last year. The advertisement used the name ABS (Akademi Pelaburan Saham ABS) and promoted an application known as “Astute”.

After showing interest, she was contacted through Messenger and later invited to join a WhatsApp group called “T-91-ABS”. In the group, a woman who introduced herself as an assistant to an “investment guru” began communicating with her and sharing stock recommendations, creating the impression of a structured and guided investment programme.

To build trust, the syndicate reportedly refunded 80 per cent of a small initial loss of RM15.20. This gesture gave the victim confidence that the platform was legitimate and that her funds were secure.

Believing the scheme to be genuine, she was encouraged to open an investment account through the “Astute” application and was instructed to transfer funds into three different bank accounts. Over time, she carried out 18 separate transactions, amounting to a total of RM404,045.

The victim only realised something was wrong when she attempted to withdraw what appeared to be dividends shown on the platform. Instead of receiving her money, she was told she needed to pay 20 per cent of the supposed profits as a processing fee before the withdrawal could be approved.

When she was unable to recover any of her funds, she lodged a police report.

Police are now investigating the case under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating. Authorities have once again reminded the public to be cautious of investment offers on social media, especially those that promise easy returns and require transfers into multiple bank accounts.