Kuala Terengganu: A vegetable trader was defrauded of RM214,700 through a fake investment scheme she encountered on Facebook. The Kuala Terengganu district police chief, ACP Azli Mohd Noor, revealed that the 54-year-old victim discovered an enticing investment advertisement by a company on December 11 of the previous year.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the woman initiated contact with a man named ‘Zulfikar’ via WhatsApp to gather more information about the investment opportunity. She was then directed to communicate with another woman who further detailed the supposed investment plan.

ACP Azli stated that the victim, residing in Tepoh, Kuala Nerus, was assured of a profit of RM30,000 within a mere three to six hours, requiring an initial investment of just RM500. The promise of quick and substantial returns lured her into proceeding with the investment as instructed. However, shortly thereafter, she was coerced into making additional payments under the pretense of needing to withdraw her alleged profits.

The victim ended up making a total of 42 transactions to 16 different bank accounts, utilizing her savings and funds obtained from pawning her jewellery. Eventually, when the anticipated returns did not materialize, she realized the deceit and filed a police report at 7:24 pm yesterday.

The case is currently under investigation pursuant to Section 420 of the Penal Code. Authorities urge the public to exercise caution and remain alert to the myriad of fraudulent tactics employed by syndicates.