SERI ALAM: Desperate for a job, a 44-year-old woman was cheated out of RM126,490, including money borrowed from her relatives, after falling prey to an online job scam.
The nightmare of the woman, who was recently laid off from a printing factory, began when she became acquainted online with a cyber-friend who offered her a part-time job with lucrative returns in May this year.
The part-time job opportunity involved selling hotel accommodation packages, offering lucrative commissions based on the packages sold.
She was promised a 15 percent commission for five-star hotel packages and 10 percent for lower-rated packages.
District police chief Superintendent Mohd Sohaimi Ishak said the woman was given a link to register as an agent and was instructed to make upfront payments as her capital.
"Attracted by the promised commissions and the non-taxing nature of the job, which allowed her time to attend to other daily errands, she signed up for the offer.
"She transferred an undisclosed sum to the given bank account and sold several hotel packages, earning over 100 percent in commissions.
"Between May 17 and 28, she made 17 online cash transfers to six different bank accounts, totaling RM126,490," he said.
It is learned that the victim also borrowed money from her relatives to increase her investments.
"The woman, however, realised she had been duped when she could not withdraw her commissions and was instead asked by the scammer to make additional payments."
She lodged a police report on Friday (July 5), after all attempts to contact her cyber-friend proved futile.
The case, Sohaimi said, is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.
He added that the police will also probe the involvement of 'money mules' bank accounts.
He advised the public to exercise caution and not to trust any online investment or job offers promising easy methods and high commissions.