SIBU: A hawker who was hoping to strike a good deal in cryptocurrency ended up losing RM30,000 of his savings.
Sibu police chief ACP Zulkipli Suhaili said the commercial crime investigation department had on July 14, received a report from the 30-something victim who claimed that he was contacted by the suspect via Wechat app.
“He had received a message from the suspect who was offering to sell US$6,667 at RM30,001, which seems like a good deal to the victim,” he said in a statement today.
Zulkipli said that the interested victim then made two transactions to an account number provided by the suspect.
“When he tried to send receipts of the bank transfer, he was shocked to find that his WeChat had been blocked by the suspect,” he said.
He realised that he had been cheated and lodged a police report.
The police are investigating the case under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating and the public are advised to be wary of investment schemes that promise lucrative profits.
“As a preventive measure, the police would like to advise the public not to be easily deceived and only conduct their transactions through legitimate sales platforms to ensure that your rights as a buyer are always protected.
“Do not easily make payments into a bank account in the name of a different individual than the seller,” he added.
Further information can be referred to the National Scam Response Center (NSC) at 997 and follow the Facebook page @CyberCrimeAlertMP @JSJKPDRM.
The public can also check bank account verification and suspicious phone numbers through the website http://ccid.rmp.gov.my/semakmule/
