Female entrepreneur loses RM44,000 in get-rich-quick scheme

Malaysian Muslim Consumers Association president Nadzim Johan says investment syndicate is still actively advertising the scheme, deceiving more new victims. (Bernama pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: Lured by a luxury travel package to Cambodia and special services for four days, including being accompanied by a so-called “general” from the country, a female entrepreneur lost more than RM44,000 in a get-rich-quick scheme.

The victim, who wanted to be known as Zana, 51, was among dozens of victims who fell prey to the investment scheme.

She said she had heard about the investment through an agent introduced by her friend’s acquaintance.

“The tactics they use are very cunning because they do not use any social media platform. Instead, they operate through a network of contacts, that is ‘a friend of a friend’.

“This includes being taken to Cambodia on a holiday by the so-called investor, ostensibly to see for oneself the real estate project including gold-related investments and the private company projects developed there.

“We were presented expensive phones,” she said at a press conference at the office of the Malaysian Muslim Consumers Association (PPIM) here today.

Zana said they were accompanied by a so-called “general” during their visit to the country. Their vehicle was provided escort by a police motorcade.

“Of course, anyone would be attracted by such services. We became very confident with the investment scheme offered as it also promised lucrative returns,” she said.

Zana said the minimum investment was RM4,500 or a star. Up to 10 stars could be bought, with monthly returns of 10% on the investment received.

“However, we failed to get the money back after three months of becoming ‘members’. The person responsible could not be contacted,” said Zana, who had invested RM44,000.

PPIM president Nadzim Johan said the investment syndicate, allegedly masterminded by a “Datuk”, had now resulted in RM1.5 million in losses involving 60 victims, mostly from Sabah and Sarawak.

“The syndicate had been operating since 2016 and targeted the working group, aged between 35 and 60.

“We are worried as this investment syndicate is still actively advertising the scheme, deceiving more new victims,” he said. - FMT