Kluang: A man lost RM500,000 after falling victim to a scam involving the leasing of land for oil palm cultivation. Kluang Police Chief ACP Bahrin Mohd Noh said initial investigations revealed that the 44-year-old victim had been in contact with an individual from a company claiming to be the land owner.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the victim, who subsequently agreed to lease the property, made several deposit payments in stages between Oct 30 and Nov 4 last year. "After paying a total of RM500,000, the victim discovered that the land was never registered under the company's name. Realising he had been cheated, the victim lodged a police report today. The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code," he said in a statement today.