Kuala Terengganu, 16 September 2025 — A 56-year-old university lecturer from Kuala Nerus has become the latest victim of a sophisticated investment scam, losing RM244,925.61 — money that included savings from her Employees Provident Fund (EPF) account — after being lured into a fraudulent scheme promoted over WhatsApp. The incident is currently under police investigation.
The lecturer reported that the scam began on 14 August 2025, when she received a WhatsApp message from an unknown sender containing an advertisement for an investment syndicate, along with a hyperlink to join. Said link was followed, either accidentally or under persuasion, and she was presented with three investment options — one of which required as little as RM300.
The promise of fast returns was introduced early. The lecturer was told that a RM300 investment would yield profits of RM14,000. To claim the promised profit, she was instructed to make multiple payments over time — funds were transferred to 18 different bank accounts between 20 August and 10 September.
It was only when she requested a payout of the promised profit and received nothing that she realised something was wrong. Recognising the scam, she lodged a police report on 15 September 2025. According to Kuala Terengganu police chief Assistant Commissioner Azli Mohd Noor, the case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code, which covers cheating.
Implications & Lessons
This case highlights several concerning trends in financial fraud in Malaysia:
- The exploitation of trusted savings funds, like EPF, shows that scammers are targeting even conservative, institutional nest eggs.
- Scams increasingly use messaging apps like WhatsApp, which makes it easier for fraudsters to reach victims personally and in ways that seem credible.
- The use of multiple bank accounts complicates investigations and recovery of funds. Payments spread out over time and across accounts reduce traceability.
- Fraud promises with high returns for minimal investment remain highly effective lures.
For individuals, it underscores the importance of verifying investment vehicles, doing due diligence, refraining from clicking unsolicited links, and being wary of profit promises that seem too good to be true. For regulators and law enforcement, there’s a clear need to strengthen protections, speed up complaint mechanisms, and improve public awareness of investment scams.
