By Zaki Salleh
IPOH: Despite frequent reports, online fraud continues to occur.
Recently, two men fell victim to separate scams, losing approximately RM1.4 million in two different cases reported to the police.
The first case was reported on January 11 by a 67-year-old local Chinese man.
Perak Deputy Police Chief DCP Zulkafli Sariaat said the victim claimed he was browsing Facebook on December 4 and came across an advertisement for stock investment.
He clicked on a link provided by a woman, which led him to a WhatsApp group called the National Malaysia Finance Management Association, where he was asked to download an app called PGLO.PRO.
“The victim then made 16 online payments to three different bank accounts, totaling RM974,000.
“On January 11, he checked the investment online and found that it did not exist,” he said.
The second case involved a 42-year-old local Chinese man who works as a technician.
He came across an online job advertisement on Facebook while at home on November 21.
Zulkafli said the victim then communicated with a male suspect via WhatsApp, who gave him tasks requiring upfront payments for various items, starting with small amounts and later increasing to tens of thousands of ringgit.
“He was promised a return of his money along with a commission of 4 to 10 percent of the amount paid,” he said.
The victim made online payments to 10 different bank accounts, amounting to RM444,967, before realizing he had been scammed when he did not receive the promised commission.
