Nowadays, scams can take on any form involving the least suspecting items such as baby formula.
A woman was left RM1 million poorer after she was duped into thinking that she would receive a handsome commission rate selling baby formula online.
Lost RM1mil to online baby formula scam
According to a report by NST, the 47-year-old factory supervisor became acquainted with an individual back in July via TikTok. Some time later, both of them moved their conversation to the messaging application Line.
Johor police chief Datuk M. Kumar said the victim was reeled into the scam when the individual told her that she had the chance to make up to 30% in guaranteed commissions by becoming an agent selling baby formula online.
However, it came with a caveat — she had to first buy the products using her own money beforehand. Once she did that, her initial investment and commission would be paid out once online buyers placed their orders.
Although the victim was initially skeptical, she nevertheless made a small investment and received her capital and a 50% commission in return, which convinced her that the scheme was legit.
Between July and September, the victim transferred RM1.04 million to several bank accounts under the impression that multiple online orders had been placed.
Unfortunately, she didn’t get neither her capital nor her commission, prompting her to lodge a police report after she tried in vain to contact the individual. Every message she had with the latter were also wiped clean.
Kumar said the case is currently being probed under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating, which carries a jail term, whipping, or a fine upon conviction.
He also urged Malaysians to be wary of online schemes promising huge profits within a short amount of time with little effort on their end.
Days ago, a local man lost RM25,000 after he was promised RM1mil if he made a woman pregnant:
