MIRI – Little did a university student think that accepting a part-time job offer that he saw being offered in a WhatsApp group chat would end up disastrous for him.
The student, 20, in Sibu district, had his savings of RM13,180 swiftly wiped out by a scam syndicate that was operating the group.
Sibu police chief Zulkipli Suhaili today said the student, who is pursuing his studies at a private university, lodged a police report in Sibu town yesterday.
“The student in his report said that he had recently accepted an invitation to join a WhatsApp group after receiving a message from a person in that group.
“The student had received a message from that WhatsApp group that was offering a part-time job that gave a good commission,” Zulkipli said.
“The student was told that he must be willing to be included as a member of that group in order for him to secure the part-time job.”
“After he had agreed to join the group, he was told that he must perform certain tasks, including investing his money in certain online schemes in order to secure a commission of at least 5% each time he invested in the scheme,” Zulkipli said in a statement.
The student was initially paid RM319 by the group as commission after he had invested a sum of money.
He was then coaxed into investing even more.
He ended up “investing” RM13,180 from his savings in his bank to the contact in the group.
However, the group abruptly severed contact with him and did not send him any more commissions after that.
The student yesterday went to the Sibu police after realising he had been duped.
Zulkipli said the case had been classified as one of cheating, adding that police will commence investigations. – The Vibes, October 24, 2023
