KUALA LUMPUR: Two senior citizens fell victim to online cryptocurrency trading and stock investment scams in two separate cases with total losses of RM5,246,498.
Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) director Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf said the first case involved a 67-year-old housewife who claimed she was deceived into joining a non-existent stock investment scheme, resulting in a loss of RM4 million.
He said an investigation found that the complainant came across an investment advertisement while browsing social media and clicked on the provided link.
"The complainant was then added to the investment group on WhatsApp and provided classes, tips, and notes related to the offered investment.
"She was also promised a return of 380 per cent on the invested amount.
"Deceived by the tactics employed, the complainant transferred funds to 11 specified company accounts totalling RM4,023,465.00.
"To date, the complainant has not received any returns or profits," he said in a press conference at the Menara KPJ, here.
Meanwhile, Ramli said the second case involved a 74-year-old retiree who was duped into joining a digital currency investment scheme. The victim filed a police report on Jan 18.
Based on the investigation, the complainant was contacted via WhatsApp on Oct 30, 2023, by an individual who offered the former to participate in a Bitcoin investment.
"The complainant was provided with the website link www.accerx.com for registration purposes.
"After registering, the complainant began depositing investment funds into eight different accounts with a total value of RM1,223,033.00.
"Since making the deposits, the complainant has not been able to make any profit from the investment," he said.
Ramli added that the syndicate deceived the complainant into believing that the eight bank accounts provided to him functioned as a 'money exchanger', given that the investment scheme he joined was based on cryptocurrency.
"The complainant, who had just ventured into cryptocurrency investments, was deceived by this scheme and followed all the given instructions.
"As of now, CCID is investigating a total of 37 cases related to accerx investments involving a loss of RM20.9 million."
Both of the cases are currently being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property.
