Latest news with #RM521
The Sun
6 days ago
- The Sun
Cybercrime cases in Penang surge by 38%
GEORGE TOWN: Cybercrime cases in Penang have surged by 38% in the first five months of this year compared with the same period in 2024, according to state police chief Commissioner Datuk Hamzah Ahmad. Between January and May, a total of 1,129 reports were lodged, up from 818 during the same period last year. Financial losses also rose significantly, increasing by RM13 million – from RM44.87 million in 2024 to RM57.87 million this year. Investment fraud remained the most common scam, with 268 cases reported between January and May, a 74% increase from 154 cases during the same period last year. Other prevalent scams included online impersonation, non-existent loans, e-commerce fraud, love scams and phone scams. Love scams or parcel scams recorded a 36.4% decrease, with 12 fewer cases than the previous year. Phone scams also declined slightly by 2.3%, with two fewer reports. Hamzah attributed the rising trend to a general lack of awareness about modern fraud tactics. 'Many people still don't realise how the information they share online can be misused,' he told theSun in a statement. He said unrealistic promises, especially those offering high returns or lucrative job offers, were key reasons victims fell prey. 'Scammers often manipulate emotions such as sympathy, love or greed to deceive their victims. This situation shows that all groups are vulnerable to such tactics, and what is worrying is that many still ignore the advice and information regularly shared by the authorities.' To combat the threat, police have intensified its anti-scam campaigns through public talks, exhibitions, social media outreach, community dialogues and collaborations with other agencies to boost cyber safety awareness. One recent case involved a 57-year-old housewife in North Seberang Perai who lost RM521,450 to an investment scam introduced by her neighbour. She lodged a report on June 10 with the district Commercial Crime Investigation Division, claiming she was introduced to another woman posing as a marketing officer in 2022. The 'officer' promised high returns over a short period and guided her through the investment process. The victim made 51 cash deposits into five separate bank accounts over nearly two years. Despite repeated attempts to withdraw her funds, she was given a string of excuses, including claims that the money had not matured or was under the control of Bank Negara Malaysia. She was also asked to make further payments for supposed legal and facilitation fees in order to recover her capital and profits. The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating. Police have confirmed that the neighbour was arrested on June 11 on suspicion of being involved in the scam, along with two other suspects. All three were remanded for four days beginning June 12 to assist with investigations. Police believe the neighbour acted as a middleman for the main suspect. Authorities urge the public to remain vigilant, verify any financial offers and report suspicious activity to police or via the National Scam Response Centre by calling 997.
The Sun
11-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Housewife loses over RM500,000 to investment scam
GEORGE TOWN: A housewife lost RM521,450 after falling victim to a fraudulent investment scheme carried out face-to-face in Seberang Perai Utara (SPU), near here, recently. Penang police chief Datuk Hamzah Ahmad said the Commercial Crime Investigation Division from the SPU Police Headquarters received a report from the 57-year-old woman yesterday, with investigations underway. 'Based on investigations, the victim was introduced by her neighbour to the scheme, which promised high returns in a short period in 2022, before introducing the victim to another woman who posed as a marketing officer,' he said in a statement today, adding that the woman explained to the victim how the investment worked. He said the victim then joined the investment and made 51 cash transactions into five different bank accounts from March 4, 2022 to Jan 22, 2024 totalling RM521,450, before realising she had been scammed after the suspect kept giving excuses whenever she wanted to withdraw her profits. Hamzah said some of the excuses given were that the investments had not reached maturity dates and that there was no need to worry because her capital was safely stored in Bank Negara. He said the victim was also told to make various additional payments, such as payments to Bank Negara and legal fees to facilitate getting her capital and profits. 'Investigations are ongoing, including tracing those involved in the scam, and the case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating,' he added.
The Star
11-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Housewife loses over RM500,000 to investment scam
GEORGE TOWN: A housewife lost RM521,450 after falling victim to a fraudulent investment scheme conducted face-to-face in Seberang Perai Utara (SPU), near here, recently. Penang police chief Datuk Hamzah Ahmad said the Commercial Crime Investigation Division from the SPU Police Headquarters received a report from the 57-year-old woman on Tuesday (June 10), with investigations underway. "Based on investigations, the victim was introduced by her neighbour to the scheme, which promised high returns in a short period in 2022, before introducing the victim to another woman who posed as a marketing officer," he said in a statement on Wednesday (June 11), adding that the woman explained to the victim how the investment worked. He said the victim then joined the investment and made 51 cash transactions into five different bank accounts from March 4, 2022 to Jan 22, 2024 totalling RM521,450, before realising she had been scammed after the suspect kept giving excuses whenever she wanted to withdraw her profits. Hamzah said that some of the excuses given were that the investments had not reached their maturity dates and that there was no need to worry because her capital was safely stored at Bank Negara. He said the victim was also instructed to make various additional payments, including those to Bank Negara and legal fees, to facilitate the recovery of her capital and profits. "Investigations are ongoing, including tracing those involved in the scam, and the case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating," he added. – Bernama
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.
