A civil servant in Sibu lost RM404,045 to a fraudulent online investment scheme promoted on Facebook, with police investigating under cheating laws.

SIBU: A female civil servant in her 30s has lost RM404,045 after falling victim to a fraudulent online investment scheme promoted on Facebook.

Acting Sibu police chief Supt Boniface Bajai said the victim lodged a report yesterday after realising she had been duped.

The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.

The victim was drawn to an advertisement using the name ABS Stock Investment Academy and the “Astute” app.

She was later contacted and added to a WhatsApp group known as “P-1-ABS”.

The victim then dealt with a woman claiming to be an assistant to an “investment guru” and was initially given stock recommendations.

She was instructed to open an account via the Astute app and made 18 transfer transactions to three different company accounts.

The total amount transferred was RM404,045.

Boniface said the victim became suspicious when asked to pay 20% of the purported profits before being allowed to withdraw dividends.

To date, she has been unable to recover any of the funds.

He advised the public to be cautious of investment schemes promising high returns.

He urged people to verify offers through the official websites of Bank Negara Malaysia or the Securities Commission Malaysia.

Using the Investment Checker application was also recommended.

 The Sun Malaysia