A FEMALE entrepreneur from Batu Pahat has reportedly lost over half a million ringgit to a fraudulent investment scheme advertised on Facebook, according to Batu Pahat District Police Chief Assistant Commissioner Shahrulanuar Mushaddat Abdullah Sani.
The victim, aged 55, began communicating with an unknown individual via WhatsApp after seeing an advertisement offering unusually high returns on 16 March 2024. Between 10 and 31 July, she transferred RM571,242 across three bank accounts.
“She later saw a supposed profit of RM804,000 displayed in the investment app,” said Shahrulanuar. “However, when she attempted to withdraw the funds, the account was found to be blocked. She then realised she had been deceived.”
The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.
Authorities have advised the public not to be easily lured by schemes offering unrealistic returns and to refer to official sources like the Cyber Crime Alert portal for up-to-date information. Victims of scams are also urged to immediately contact the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) at 997 to help prevent further financial losses. - Sept 8, 2025
