Malaysian Lecturer Loses Nearly Half a Million Ringgit to Online Investment Scam

A 39-year-old lecturer reportedly lost RM493,600 after falling victim to a fraudulent online investment scheme in September 2025. The incident has raised concerns over the growing sophistication of online scams targeting individuals through social media and messaging platforms.

According to Pahang police chief Datuk Seri Yahaya Othman, the victim was contacted by an individual claiming to be a stock investment agent representing a legitimate investment entity. She was subsequently added to a WhatsApp group, where she was instructed to download an investment application via a provided link, purportedly to facilitate trades.

Over several weeks, the lecturer transferred funds in 22 separate transactions to five different bank accounts, totaling RM493,600. The money reportedly included her own savings as well as loans from family members.

On January 14, 2026, the victim was asked to make an additional payment of RM144,676, allegedly as a withdrawal tax. Sensing that she had been deceived, she refused to transfer further funds and realized that she had been scammed. She then lodged a police report to formally initiate an investigation.

The lecturer's legal representative explained that the scam involved misleading promises of high returns and emphasized the risk posed to individuals who may be attracted by unrealistic profit claims. Authorities noted that the case unfolded through a Discord group, highlighting the use of modern communication channels in orchestrating investment fraud.

Datuk Seri Yahaya advised the public to consult local authorities before committing to any investment schemes, stressing the importance of verifying legitimacy to prevent financial losses.