By Balqis Jazimah Zahari
KERIAN: A fisherman suffered a total loss of RM284,850 after being deceived by a ‘love scam’ and a non-existent cryptocurrency investment.
Perak Police Chief, Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri said, at 4.45pm yesterday, the Commercial Crime Investigation Division of the Kerian District Police Headquarters received a report from a 27-year-old man who worked as a fisherman stating that he was deceived in a cryptocurrency investment that did not exist.
“The incident happened in November last year, when the victim was contacted by a woman (suspect) through the WeChat application.
“The victim got to know the suspect and they fell in love. In January this year, the suspect offered a cryptocurrency investment to the victim by sending a link through the WeChat application and promising a return of RM200,000 if they invested RM30,000,” he said in a statement here today.
Mohd Yusri said, because he had fallen in love, he started making investments through the cryptocurrency application provided by the suspect.
“Starting from March 6, 2023 until July 15, 2023, the victim made 99 online money transfer transactions into 21 bank account involving a total of RM284,850.
“The money was the result of the victim’s savings, loans from family members, friends and employers. After the victim ran out of money, the suspect kept asking the victim to continue investing,” he said.
He then asked the suspect to return the money but the suspect gave various reasons and no longer responded to his messages on WeChat
“The victim felt deceived and came to the police station to make a report. The case was investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code and the investigation is still ongoing.
“Thus, the public is advised not to be easily deceived by the Love Scam and various non-existent investment programs,” he said.
