Latest news with #CommercialCrimeInvestigationDepartment
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Two retirees lose over RM1.1 million in separate online investment scams
SEBERANG PRAI: Police have launched investigations into two separate cases of online investment fraud that cost two retirees a combined total of RM1,148,370, highlighting the growing threat of financial scams targeting unsuspecting victims via social media platforms. State police chief Datuk Hamzah Ahmad said in the first case, a 55-year-old retiree of a private company in Prai lodged a report with the Commercial Crime Investigation Department of the Seberang Prai Tengah district police headquarters after being duped by an investment scheme operated by a company known as Freeman Ltd. Hamzah said that based on the victim's report, he came across an advertisement on Facebook in early April and was lured by promises of high returns - seven per cent on each investment within a short period. "Communicating with the female suspect via WhatsApp, the victim was instructed to download the Freeman Ltd app, register as a member, and invest through the platform. "Over a little more than a month, from April 19 to May 26, he made 22 money transfer transactions totalling RM827,120 to six different company bank accounts," he said in a statement tonight. Hamzah said the victim only realised he had been scammed when he was unable to withdraw his supposed profits, which the app showed as RM23.2 million. A police report was subsequently filed. In a separate but similar case, the Seberang Prai Utara district police received a report from a 56-year-old retired factory technician who lost RM321,250 in an online scam linked to a company called Demax Global. Hamzah said that according to the victim's report, he came across an investment advertisement on Instagram in December last year, offering a 30 per cent return within three months. "The victim also communicated with a female suspect via WhatsApp and was instructed to download the Demax Global app to begin investing. "On March 21 this year, he made his first investment of RM20,000 and, within a few months, received a return of RM14,150, which encouraged him to continue investing. "Between March 27 and June 3, he made 11 transactions into four different bank accounts linked to the scheme. "The scam came to light when the victim was unable to withdraw the displayed profits of RM280,000. When he attempted to make a withdrawal, the suspect demanded a withdrawal fee of RM120,000. "The victim proposed that the fee be deducted from his account balance, but the suspect refused and insisted that the payment be made separately," he added. Realising he had been deceived, Hamzah said the victim lodged a police report. Both cases are being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code, which deals with cheating and dishonestly inducing the delivery of property.
New Straits Times
5 days ago
- New Straits Times
Man nabbed over haj scam involving elderly pilgrims
SEREMBAN: A 67-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a haj package scam involving elderly Malaysian pilgrims who claimed they were confined and forced to walk through dangerous routes in Saudi Arabia. Negri Sembilan police chief Datuk Ahmad Dzaffir Mohd Yusoff said the suspect was detained at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport yesterday following several police reports lodged in Mantin. He has since been remanded for four days to assist in investigations under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating. Preliminary investigations revealed that victims from Mantin – a husband, wife and their daughter aged between 30 and 60 – suffered losses totalling RM81,000. "We believe there may be more victims affected by this fraudulent scheme. "We are also working to determine whether the scam was carried out individually or through an agency," Ahmad Dzaffir told reporters at the Seremban City Council Hall today. He urged others who may have fallen victim to similar haj scams to come forward and lodge police reports. Yesterday, federal police Commercial Crime Investigation Department acting director Datuk Seri Muhammed Hasbullah Ali confirmed that three reports have been received from the victims' next of kin – two in Mantin and one in Ayer Hitam, Johor. It was reported that a group of Malaysian pilgrims had been duped by a local agent linked to a prominent religious figure. One of the victims' daughter claimed her parents and aunt, who travelled to Saudi Arabia on May 9, were forced to trek from Jeddah to Makkah without proper documents, food or water to avoid detection by Saudi authorities. The group was also allegedly locked in a cramped, dark room and told to pay an additional RM9,000 to retrieve their belongings, despite having already paid RM30,000 for the haj package. – Bernama
New Straits Times
6 days ago
- New Straits Times
Police receive 3 reports over alleged confinement of haj pilgrims
KUALA LUMPUR: Police have received three reports in connection with a fraudulent haj package involving a group of senior citizens who were allegedly confined and forced to traverse dangerous routes in Saudi Arabia. Federal police Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) acting director Datuk Seri Muhammed Hasbullah Ali said the reports were lodged by family members of the pilgrims who are still in Malaysia. He said two of the reports were made in Mantin, Negri Sembilan and one in Ayer Hitam, Johor. "The CCID is taking this matter seriously and the investigation covers various elements. At this point, it is still too early to confirm the presence of cross-border fraud. "Statements and evidence are being collected to determine whether a syndicate was working with specific agents," he said in a statement. Hasbullah added that police are still awaiting the return of the victims before recording their statements and taking further action. "In response to the three police reports, the CCID has opened an investigation paper under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating, to facilitate evidence gathering and further investigation. "The probe is still at an early stage to identify any individuals or local agencies acting as facilitators or intermediaries in offering haj packages," he said. He added that the CCID will work with the Companies Commission of Malaysia, Lembaga Tabung Haji and the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry to blacklist companies offering unapproved packages. "This step is vital to protect the public from becoming victims of fraud," he said. He also advised the public to always verify offers with authorised agencies before accepting any haj-related promotions. "The CCID appreciates media cooperation in disseminating information to the public that only individuals with a haj visa are permitted by Saudi authorities to perform the pilgrimage. "We are committed to taking firm action against any party found to have deceived pilgrims," he said. It was reported that the journey of 47 senior citizens intending to perform the haj turned into a nightmare after being deceived by a local agent, allegedly involving a well-known religious figure. The pilgrims, misled by promises made to them, claimed they were forced to walk across dangerous routes without documentation to reach Makkah after arriving in Jeddah, due to the strict control by Saudi authorities over pilgrims without haj visas.
New Straits Times
11-06-2025
- New Straits Times
Housewife loses RM521,450 in bogus investment introduced by neighbour
GEORGE TOWN: A 57-year-old housewife lost more than half a million ringgit after falling victim to a fraudulent investment scheme introduced by a neighbour. Penang police chief Datuk Hamzah Ahmad said the woman was tricked into investing RM521,450 in a bogus scheme that promised high returns in a short period. In her report, the victim claimed that in 2022, her neighbour introduced her to the scheme. Hamzah said the victim further stated that her neighbour had introduced her to a woman who posed as a marketing officer. "This woman allegedly explained to the victim that the investment would offer a 100 per cent return on capital within one month. "The victim was convinced and began making payments between March 4, 2022, and Jan 22, 2024, in 51 transactions totalling RM521,450 to five different bank accounts. "She only realised she had been scammed when she attempted to withdraw the promised profits but kept receiving various excuses from the suspect. "One excuse given was that the investment had not yet matured, and the victim was told her capital was safely stored in Bank Negara Malaysia," he said in a statement today. To make matters worse, the victim was asked to make additional payments, allegedly to cover legal fees and processing costs to retrieve her capital and profits," he added. Realising she had been deceived, the victim lodged a police report with the Seberang Prai Utara district Commercial Crime Investigation Department. The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.
The Sun
10-06-2025
- The Sun
RM193,000 gone: Woman pensioner falls victim to phone scam
CHUKAI: A pensioner was poorer by RM193,000 after falling victim to a phone scam syndicate. Kemaman police chief Supt Mohd Razi Rosli said on May 25, a 63-year-old woman (victim) received a phone call from a suspect impersonating an agent from Takaful Malaysia. He said the suspect claimed the victim had filed a false insurance claim, which could lead to her being fined and imprisoned. 'The first suspect then connected the call to another suspect who pretended to be a police officer. 'The suspect asked the victim to provide her bank card details and the security password for her savings account for verification purposes. The panicked victim complied with the suspect's instructions out of fear of being imprisoned,' he said in a statement today. However, Mohd Razi said that on June 8, the victim was shocked to discover that her savings had been reduced by RM193,000. On checking, the victim found that 20 money transfer transactions had been made to four unknown bank accounts between May 29 and June 8. 'Police advise the public to first verify the phone numbers used by suspects through the 'Semak Mule' online application provided by the Commercial Crime Investigation Department. 'The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code,' he added.
