The 350 Per Cent Promise That Cost Her RM604,000

A teacher from Penang has lost RM604,000 after falling victim to an online investment syndicate that promoted a scheme based on a gambling machine concept.

According to Penang police chief Comm Datuk Azizee Ismail, the 57-year-old victim was first approached in August when a man claiming to be an investment agent added her to a WhatsApp group known as “pelaburan sentosa”. Members of the group promoted what they described as an investment opportunity offering returns of up to 350 per cent within one month. The potential gains were presented as achievable and quick, a tactic commonly used to lure inexperienced investors into fraudulent schemes.

Encouraged by what she was told, the woman followed the groups instructions and accessed a website via a link shared in the chat. She then registered as a member and proceeded to make her first investment. Over the following weeks, between 2 October and 31 October, she made 20 separate transfers totalling RM604,000 into five different company accounts. The structured payment requests gave the impression of an organised investment operation.

The syndicate further strengthened the illusion of legitimacy by displaying a supposed profit of RM1.8 million in the application linked to the platform. However, when the victim attempted to withdraw her earnings, she found that the system would not allow her to complete the transaction. Only at this point did she realise that she had been deceived.

She subsequently filed a police report at the Barat Daya district police headquarters. Comm Azizee confirmed that the case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code, which deals with cheating. He also reminded the public to be wary of schemes that offer unusually high returns in a short period of time, as such promises often indicate fraudulent activity rather than genuine investment opportunities.

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