Contractor loses over RM144,000 in crypto scam

KUALA TERENGGANU: A cons­truction contractor lost over RM144,780 after being duped by a syndicate offering a non-existent cryptocurrency investment scheme.

Kuala Terengganu OCPD Asst Comm Azli Mohd Noor said the 59-year-old man was introduced to the scheme in early August by a woman, who claimed to be South Korean, whom he met on a social media platform.

According to the victim, the woman had persuaded him to join the scheme, which promised lucrative returns within a short period.

“The victim, eager to make quick and easy profits, invested RM144,781.21 from his business savings.

“He made 14 transactions to 11 bank accounts between Aug 4 and Sept 9.

“He became suspicious after he was unable to recover his investment or receive the promised returns. He also failed to contact the woman, known as Eun Pyun,” ACP Azli said in a statement ­yesterday, Bernama reported.

He said the victim lodged a police report on Friday and the case was being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.