Penang: A scientist at a private company here lost RM466,078 after falling victim to an online investment scam known as Digital Realtyv in September. Penang police chief Datuk Azizee Ismail said the 26-year-old male victim lodged a report at the Southwest district police headquarters Commercial Crime Investigation Division yesterday.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Azizee stated that the victim claimed to have met the suspect in early September through the Xuon Hong Shu application, after which he was offered a foreign exchange (forex) trading investment that promised high returns within a short period based on the capital invested. The victim was instructed to download the Digital Realtyv application to register as a member and start investing.

On October 6, the victim made his first payment of RM4,500 into an individual’s account and received a return of RM4,754 on the same day. Convinced by the investment, the victim subsequently increased his capital, transferring a total of RM466,078.51 through 13 transactions to seven different bank accounts between October 6 and November 17.

The victim realised he had been scammed when he was unable to withdraw his profits from the application. Further investigations are underway under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.