KUCHING: A retired private sector employee in his seventies has lost about RM1.2 million after falling victim to a non-existent online investment scam.
Sarawak Commissioner of Police Dato Mohd Zainal Abdullah said the victim was lured by a social media advertisement promoting an online investment opportunity in mid-March this year. After contacting the suspect, the victim was added to a WhatsApp group called ‘AI Intelligence Future Forum’ managed by the suspect’s assistant.
“He was then offered a cryptocurrency investment through a website known as BACXN Exchange using the link www.bacxn.com. Convinced by the offer, the victim made several fund transfers to bank accounts provided by the suspect,” Mohd Zainal said.
The victim only realised he had been cheated when he was unable to withdraw the supposed profits displayed in his BACXN Exchange account. Despite numerous attempts, he never received any returns as promised and later lodged a police report.
Mohd Zainal advised the public not to be easily convinced by investment offers made through social media platforms. He urged potential investors to conduct thorough checks before committing their money.
He also reminded the public to verify the legitimacy of companies and websites through Bank Negara Malaysia at www.bnm.gov.my or its Telelink hotline 1-300-88-5465, and through the Securities Commission Malaysia at www.sc.com.my or 03-62048999.
“Anyone who becomes a victim of cybercrime such as phone scams, love scams, fake loans, or e-commerce fraud should immediately contact the National Scam Response Center (NSRC) at 997 if they have just transferred money to a suspect’s account or e-wallet,” he said.
Mohd Zainal further encouraged the public to share information on commercial crimes by contacting the Sarawak Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) hotline at 011-62890089, which operates 24 hours.
He also urged the public to download the Whoscall application from Google Play Store or Apple Store to help identify scam calls. Through cooperation between PDRM’s CCID and the Whoscall app developers, phone numbers listed in the CCID Semak Mule database can now be marked as ‘scammer’ by the app.
“Members of the public can also verify investment companies through the Investment Checker app or the Securities Commission website at https://www.sc.com.my/investment-checker, and check bank account numbers or phone numbers through the CCID Check Scammers app or the website http://semakmule.rmp.gov.my before making any financial transactions,” he added.
For more information, he said the public can follow the official social media accounts of the Commercial Crime Investigation Department via @JSJKPDRM and @CyberCrimeAlertRMP on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
By Connie Chieng