Sibu: A retiree, in his 60s, lost RM371,199 after falling victim to an offer of high returns from a non-existent online business scheme. Sibu District police chief ACP Zulkipli Suhaili stated that the victim opened online business accounts on Amazon and TikTok after being introduced to the scheme by an individual known as ‘Matsushita Meidu’ via WhatsApp on February 26.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the victim was informed by a customer service agent that by joining the business, he could earn a lucrative profit of 50 percent for the Amazon account, which would also promote him to a five-star status, and 25 percent for the TikTok account. The victim, believing in the offer, proceeded to make 20 cash transactions totaling RM371,199 into eight different bank accounts between March 11 and 17.

However, two weeks later, the victim discovered that he could not access his accounts due to supposedly insufficient funds. ACP Zulkifli noted that the victim was then advised to transfer more money into the account’s e-wallet to reactivate it. Realizing he had been scammed, the retiree lodged a police report yesterday.

The police are now investigating the case under Section 420 of the Penal Code, which deals with cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property.