JOHOR BARU: A bogus investment scheme involving beauty products has cost a local man over half a million ringgit. Johor Baru North OCPD Asst Comm Balveer Singh said the 36-year-old victim lodged a police report on Monday (Jan 20) claiming he was scammed. “The victim said that on Dec 9, he received a message on Instagram about a beauty product investment from a woman named 'Chan Luna'.
“He was attracted to the investment opportunity and contacted the suspect through WhatsApp. He was then given a link (to the scheme),” he said here on Tuesday (Jan 21). ACP Balveer added that the victim was promised returns of 10% on his investment.
"He made 41 transactions to 19 different bank accounts provided to him between Dec 19 and Friday (Jan 17) with a total value of more than RM553,000. “However, the victim realised he had been cheated after being told to make additional payments just to withdraw RM18,000 of his profits,” he said. ACP Balveer added that the case was being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating, with the mule bank accounts involved being looked into as well.
He advised the public to be aware of the latest commercial crime tactics to avoid becoming victims of scams, especially those offering investment opportunities with high returns or online jobs promising high commissions. ACP Balveer also urged the public to make full use of Commercial Crime Investigation Department services such as the Semak Mule app or its scam response centre at 03-.