Latest news with #SemakMule
The Star
8 hours ago
- The Star
Retiree loses over RM500,000 in fake investment scam
JOHOR BARU: A 57-year-old retiree has lost more than RM500,000 after falling victim to a fake investment scheme advertised on social media. Seri Alam OCPD Asst Comm Mohd Sohaimi Ishak said the man, who previously worked in the private sector, came across an online advertisement on Facebook in March and decided to click on it. 'The victim was enticed by the promise of high returns in a short period. Believing he was investing in the scheme, he deposited a total of RM535,766 into five different bank accounts from March 13 to June 5,' he said in a statement on Saturday (June 21). ACP Mohd Sohaimi said the retiree conducted a total of 26 bank transactions. 'He realised something was wrong when he was asked to transfer more funds to cash out his profits,' he said, adding that the victim lodged a police report on Tuesday (June 17). 'The public are reminded to check unknown bank account numbers using the police's SemakMule portal because early investigations revealed that the five bank accounts involved in this case were linked to 22 other investment scam cases,' he said. The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating, and action will also be taken against those who allow others to use their bank accounts as mule accounts.
The Sun
15 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
Retiree loses over RM530,000 to Facebook investment scam
JOHOR BAHRU: A private sector retiree lost RM535,766 after allegedly falling victim to an online investment scam promoted via an advertisement on the Facebook application. Seri Alam District Police chief ACP Mohd Sohaimi Ishak said the police received a report from a 57-year-old local man on Tuesday, who claimed losses exceeding RM500,000. He said the victim had come across a share investment advertisement on Facebook on March 13 that promised lucrative returns within a short time, and clicked on the provided link out of interest. 'Subsequently, the victim made 26 payment transactions into five different bank accounts between March 13 and June 5, totalling RM535,766. The victim was also asked to make additional payments to withdraw the so-called 'investment profits', but those requests were never fulfilled,' he said in a statement today. Mohd Sohaimi said the victim only realised he had been duped after repeated attempts to recover the investment funds proved futile. 'Preliminary checks via the CCID's 'Semak Mule' platform found that all five accounts involved had a total of 22 police reports linked to investment scams,' he said. The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating, and police are also looking into the possible involvement of mule account holders.
New Straits Times
16 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Retiree's RM535k gone in Facebook 'investment' scam
JOHOR BARU: – A private sector retiree lost RM535,766 after allegedly falling victim to an online investment scam promoted via a Facebook advertisement. Seri Alam police chief ACP Mohd Sohaimi Ishak said police received a report from a 57-year-old local man on Tuesday, who claimed losses exceeding RM500,000. He said the victim had come across a share investment advertisement on Facebook on March 13 that promised lucrative returns within a short time, and clicked on the provided link out of interest. "Subsequently, the victim made 26 payment transactions into five different bank accounts between March 13 and June 5, totalling RM535,766. The victim was also asked to make additional payments to withdraw the so-called 'investment profits', but those requests were never fulfilled," he said in a statement yesterday. Mohd Sohaimi said the victim only realised he had been duped after repeated attempts to recover the investment funds proved futile. "Preliminary checks via the CCID's 'Semak Mule' platform found that all five accounts involved had a total of 22 police reports linked to investment scams," he said. The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating, and police are also looking into the possible involvement of mule account holders.
The Star
5 days ago
- The Star
Company manager loses over RM1.7mil to investment scam
JOHOR BARU: A 67-year-old company manager has lost more than RM1.7mil to a bogus online investment promising daily returns of up to 10%. Johor police chief Comm Datuk M. Kumar said the victim came across the scheme in April. "His mobile phone number was added to a WhatsApp group named 'C-10 Freeman Saham 17'. 'The group promoted a stock investment scheme that claimed to offer daily returns of 5% to 10%, based on market performance. "Enticed by the promise of high profits, the man began making fund transgers,' he said here on Tuesday (June 17). Comm Kumar added that from April 16 to May 30, the victim made 12 bank transfers totalling over RM1.7mil to five bank accounts believed to be controlled by a syndicate. 'However, the victim did not receive any of the promised returns. Instead, he was told to pay another RM500,000 to 'unlock' his earnings. 'The repeated requests for more payments raised the victim's suspicions. He eventually realised it was a scam and filed a police report on Thursday (June 12),' he said. Comm Kumar added that the case was being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating. He reminded the public to be cautious and not fall for investment offers found on social media, especially those that promise quick and guaranteed profits. 'Verify the legitimacy of investment opportunities with the relevant authorities such as Bank Negara Malaysia, the Securities Commission, or the police before making any financial transactions,' he said. Comm Kumar also urged the public to use the "Semak Mule" service, which allows users to check if a bank account or phone number has been linked to scams before proceeding with any payments. He said increased public awareness of commercial crime trends was vital to avoid falling victim. 'Stay informed about the latest scam tactics by following the official social media accounts of the police Commercial Crime Investigation Department on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok,' he added. He urged the public to take responsibility for staying alert and informed, as scammers are constantly revising their tactics.
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.
