Malaysia

Factory worker loses RM166,000 in online investment scam after social media

A woman employed at a cake factory has lost her life savings after being lured into a fictitious investment scheme by a man she met on social media

Updated 8 months ago · Published on 20 Jan 2026 8:05AM

Factory worker loses RM166,000 in online investment scam after social media
The scammer later persuaded the victim to join an investment scheme that supposedly offered lucrative returns - January 20, 2026

A FACTORY worker in Hulu Terengganu has suffered losses amounting to RM166,000 after being deceived into a non-existent investment scheme by a man she met through social media.

Hulu Terengganu district police chief Superintendent Sharudin Abdul Wahab said the victim lodged a police report at the Ajil Police Station at about 6.26pm yesterday.

According to Sharudin, the woman became acquainted with the man on a social networking platform on 15 November last year.

“The man later persuaded the victim to join an investment scheme that supposedly offered lucrative returns.

“Influenced by his persuasion, the victim agreed to participate in the investment scheme and subsequently made 16 transactions to several different bank accounts.

“Despite joining the scheme, the victim did not receive any profits as promised, and various excuses were given by the man,” he said in a statement.

Sharudin said that realising she had been cheated, the victim came forward to lodge a police report, with total losses amounting to RM166,000.

He added that the case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code, and that the funds involved came from the victim’s salary, personal savings, inheritance and the sale of jewellery. - January 20, 2026

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