Woman made 21 payments to scammers after being lured by online profit promises
A 47-year-old housewife in Johor Baru lost nearly RM290,000 after falling for a fake investment scheme advertised on Facebook.
The case adds to the growing number of social media-linked scams targeting vulnerable individuals across Malaysia. Investment scams often promise high returns and pressure victims into repeated payments under the guise of unlocking profits.
Seri Alam deputy police chief Superintendent Victor Genason confirmed the case on Thursday (April 3), stating the housewife discovered the advertisement on Facebook on January 19 and followed the link provided. Convinced by the scheme’s profit potential, she proceeded to make 21 bank transfers between February 21 and March 27.
The total amount transferred was RM288,235 (approximately S$82,000), spread across five different bank accounts. Her suspicions were only raised when she was asked to transfer an additional RM50,000 before she could access her supposed returns.
Authorities confirmed that the bank accounts involved were previously linked to other investment scam cases. “Our investigation revealed strong connections to known fraudulent investment activities,” said Supt Victor.
The case underscores a worrying trend in Malaysia involving social media platforms as vectors for financial fraud. Supt Victor warned the public to verify all investment opportunities and refrain from making transactions with unknown individuals or unverified schemes.
He also reminded victims and potential scam targets to report suspicious activity to the National Scam Response Centre by calling 997 for immediate support and guidance.
The incident highlights the persistent threat of digital investment scams across Southeast Asia, where online platforms remain both a source of opportunity and risk. Travelers and residents alike should exercise extreme caution with online advertisements offering high returns.
Sources: The Star (2025), Vanakkam Malaysia (2025)
Keywords: Johor Housewife Scam, Facebook Investment Fraud, RM288000 Lost, Financial Crime
