WHAT began as a seemingly innocent text message from a stranger turned into a devastating financial nightmare for a private sector employee who lost nearly RM125,000 from his Tabung Haji and Amanah Saham Bumiputera (ASB) savings in less than a month.
The 47-year-old victim, who wished to be known only as Aizat, said the ordeal began in July when he received a message from an Indonesian woman thanking him for allegedly helping to return some lost documents.
“I ignored the message at first, but she kept sending the same text repeatedly. I finally replied to tell her she had the wrong number — and that was how the conversation started,” he told *Sinar Harian*.
Over time, the woman began to offer Aizat an investment opportunity requiring an initial capital of RM300. She even funded the amount herself, and within two days, he received RM500 in returns directly into his account.
Encouraged by what appeared to be a quick profit, Aizat said she later increased the investment amount to RM3,000, which yielded RM5,000 in returns, convincing him further of the scheme’s legitimacy.
“She kept persuading me to invest more, and eventually, I used all my savings — RM30,000 from Tabung Haji and RM50,000 from ASB,” he said.
According to Aizat, he felt as though he was “under a spell” as the woman continued to pressure him into investing even more by borrowing money from his siblings — about RM5,000 each — and taking a bank loan worth RM30,000.
“My situation worsened when I was also duped by another syndicate posing as bank officers after I tried to apply for a loan to cover my investment losses. I lost another RM10,000 after paying an upfront ‘processing fee’ to a man who claimed he could speed up the approval process since I worked in the private sector,” he said.
Aizat said he had found the so-called banker’s contact online, desperate to secure funds quickly without alerting his wife.
He only realised he had been scammed when he tried to borrow RM10,000 from his wife for the supposed final payment, prompting her to take him to the bank for clarification.
“The bank staff told us no such loan application could be made online and that applicants must appear in person. I fainted in front of the bank when I realised I’d been scammed. The woman also disappeared after I told her I had no more money,” he said emotionally.
The father of two lodged a police report and changed his phone number, fearing further harassment from the scammers.
He said the traumatic experience had left him sleepless and anxious whenever he received calls or messages from unknown numbers.
“I’m now extremely cautious. I no longer respond to any calls or texts from strangers,” he said. - October 27, 2025
