BATU PAHAT: A 39-year-old man was hoping to increase his income by looking for a part-time job but ended up being scammed of more than RM160,000.
The victim, a 39-year-old man looking for a part-time job, started chatting with the suspect through the WeChat application and the suspect promised him high profits if he made purchases through a website.
District police chief Assistant Commissioner Shahrulanuar Mushaddat Abdullah Sani said the victim was asked to buy some items through a given website and the suspect promised the victim multiple profits for each purchase.
After being attracted by the offer, the victim transferred RM163,731 into 18 accounts in stages, from May 28 to July 28.
The suspect asked the victim to make another payment first if he wanted to receive the profit from the earlier purchase of goods.
"However, the victim became suspicious and refused to pay. At the same time, the victim suspected that he had been deceived and made a report at the Ayer Hitam police station," he said in a statement.
Shahrulanuar said investigations are still underway and the case is being investigated according to Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.
He advised the public not to fall for deals or offers on social media that promised high returns or commissions.