RM783,000 Gone: Restaurant Owner Fell Victim to an 85%-Return Investment Scheme

A restaurant owner in Pahang has suffered heavy financial losses after falling victim to a sophisticated online investment scam that promised unusually high profits. The 30-year-old entrepreneur lost RM783,000 after being persuaded to invest in what he believed were stock-trading opportunities offering returns of up to 85%.

According to Pahang‘s Deputy Police Chief, Datuk Azry Akmar Ayob, the case began when the victim came across a Facebook advertisement on 17 September promoting a highly attractive investment programme. The advertisement claimed that participants could earn steady daily profits, and the scheme’s representative, known only as “Christy”, reportedly told the victim that he could expect between RM550 and RM600 in returns each day.

Over the following weeks, the victim was gradually drawn deeper into the scheme. Between 20 October and 7 December, he made 23 separate transfers to five different bank accounts. These payments amounted to RM783,000, funded through a mix of personal savings, business revenue, loans from relatives, and the sale of jewellery. Such a substantial commitment reflected the victims belief that he was securing a rare and profitable opportunity.

The illusion began to unravel when he attempted to withdraw his supposed profits. Despite his substantial investment, he found himself unable to access any returns. Instead, he was repeatedly told to make additional payments, which is an all-too-common tactic used by fraudsters to prolong the scheme and extract more money from victims. Only then did he realise he had been deceived.

Datuk Azry explained that this case demonstrates the increasingly sophisticated techniques used by online scammers. He noted that criminals now rely heavily on social media platforms to build credibility and reach wider audiences. By presenting themselves as legitimate advisers and offering returns far above those available through regulated financial institutions, these groups exploit the hopes of individuals seeking to grow their savings quickly.

Police are urging the public to remain alert and to treat any investment scheme promising unusually high returns with extreme caution. They emphasise that legitimate financial opportunities rarely guarantee profits and almost never offer returns of the magnitude advertised by fraudulent operators. Members of the public who encounter suspicious advertisements or communications are encouraged to report them immediately to the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) via the 997 hotline.

Cases such as this highlight the importance of verifying the legitimacy of any investment platform before transferring money. One practical step for investors is to use tools that provide reliable information about brokers and financial service providers. For example, the free WikiFX mobile application, available on Google Play and the App Store, allows users to check whether a broker is regulated, review user experiences, and assess its overall safety rating. By providing access to regulatory details and risk warnings, such platforms help individuals make informed decisions and avoid unlicensed or fraudulent entities.