MUAR, April 29 — A businessman lost RM610,000 after falling victim to a non-existent investment scheme that promised unusually high returns.

Muar district police chief ACP Raiz Mukhliz Azman Aziz said the 49-year-old man was drawn to an investment advertisement on Facebook before getting in touch with the suspect via WhatsApp.

Lured by lucrative returns of up to 750 per cent, the victim proceeded to make multiple payments to different bank accounts from April 1, he said in a statement today.

Raiz Mukhliz said the victim was also informed by the suspect that all investment matters would be handled by a broker.

"The victim only realised he had been scammed when he was asked to make an additional payment to withdraw the profits purportedly earned from the investment.

"He subsequently lodged a police report yesterday (April 28) for insurance claims on the losses suffered,” he said, adding that the case was being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code.

Raiz Mukhliz advised the public to remain cautious of online investment offers that promise extraordinary high returns. — Bernama

It all starts in front of a screen, in the most innocent way possible. Accepting a friend request on Facebook. Following an influencer. Signing up for a study skills course about investing in cryptocurrencies. Entering a Roblox minigame. These are all gateways into a labyrinth of psychological manipulation that, in just a matter of months, can end with the innocent internet user trapped in a cult-like community, isolated and ruined. This mental and physical kidnapping occurs — and this is the worst part — voluntarily.

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