KUANTAN: A 65-year-old contractor here became the victim of a WhatsApp investment scheme last week, losing RM463,792 of his life savings.
Pahang police chief Datuk Seri Yahaya Othman said the pensioner was lured into the scheme with the promise of a guaranteed 20 per cent profit on every deposit.
The victim received the enticing offer through a WhatsApp message.
"The victim was promised a 20 per cent return on each investment deposited through a website provided by the investment agent," he said.
"He transferred RM463,792 into six separate accounts between Sept 5 and Sept 20."
The victim only realised that he had been scammed after he could no longer contact his investment agent and was unable to withdraw any profit. The retiree claimed to have used his savings to invest in the scheme.
The case is being probed under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.
Yahaya urged the public to be wary of unrealistic investment offers promising high returns. He advised everyone to verify the legitimacy of any online platform through https://semakmule.rmp.gov.my before making any online financial transactions.