KUANTAN: A finance manager was thrilled to start a part-time job which offered her RM5 each time she hit the like and follow buttons on Instagram.
The 34-year-old woman from Kuantan earned commissions worth RM590 after completing the first task.
Assuming she was destined for 'greater returns', the victim invested RM89,560 of her savings and cash borrowed from a sibling, and ended up being cheated by fraudsters in the online part-time job scam.
Pahang police chief Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf said the victim received the part-time job offer through WhatsApp on Feb 4 and was lured by the opportunity to earn RM5 commission on each occasion she clicked the like button.
"She was only required to follow and like the Instagram pages. She completed three tasks as instructed by the job agent and RM590 was deposited into her bank account.
"Eager to complete more tasks, the victim used her savings and borrowed cash from her younger sibling before making 10 transactions amounting RM89,560 into seven separate bank accounts as instructed by the job agent. She did not receive any returns and the agent could no longer be contacted," he said.
Ramli reminded members of the public who are interested to participate in online job offers to verify any account number via https://ccid.rmp.gov.my/semakmule before making any transactions.
He said the case was investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating, which provides for a maximum jail term of 10 years and whipping, and a fine if convicted.
