Johor police investigate two online investment scams in Malaysia, where victims lost over $21,500. Authorities warn against fraudulent schemes promising high returns.
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| A teacher and a surveyor in Malaysia lost over $21,500 in separate online investment scams. Johor police warn the public to stay vigilant against fraudulent schemes. Image: ChicHue |
Johor Baru, Malaysia — March 15, 2025:
Johor police are investigating two separate online investment scams that resulted in combined losses exceeding $21,500 (RM102,024), highlighting the growing threat of financial fraud in Malaysia.
Johor Baru South police chief Asst Comm Raub Selamat revealed that in the first case, a 34-year-old teacher lost around $16,800 (RM80,524) after being deceived into investing in a fraudulent cryptocurrency scheme. The scammer, whom she met on the matchmaking website Baitul Muslim, convinced her to transfer nearly $23,000 (RM110,510) across nine transactions between March 10 and March 13, 2025. She initially received $6,300 (RM29,985) in returns before realising she had been duped. Police checks using the CCID Semak Mule application found that one of the bank accounts involved had prior fraud records.
In a separate case, a 58-year-old surveyor lost about $4,500 (RM21,500) after falling for a fake stock investment scheme he discovered through a Facebook advertisement. A scammer posing as a customer service agent named "Sara" lured him in with promises of a 50% return, while another fraudster, "Ellie," claimed to be an account manager and instructed him to register on the Silegax Exchange app. Between December 11, 2024, and March 10, 2025, the victim made six online payments to multiple bank accounts under different company names. When no returns were received and the fraudsters demanded additional payments under the pretense of unlocking his profits, he realised he had been scammed.
Both cases are being investigated under Section 420 of Malaysia’s Penal Code, which carries penalties of up to 10 years in prison, whipping, and a fine upon conviction.
ACP Raub warned that investment scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, targeting professionals such as teachers, doctors, and government officials. He urged the public to remain cautious of investment offers that promise unrealistically high returns and to verify phone numbers and bank accounts using Truecaller or the CCID Semak Mule application.
Authorities encourage victims of fraud to report cases to the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) via 997 and to follow the Commercial Crime Investigation Department (JSJK) on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for updates on emerging scam tactics.