Kuantan: A senior citizen lost RM218,239.24 after he was believed to have fallen victim to a non-existent cryptocurrency investment scam advertised on social media. Acting Pahang police chief Datuk Azry Akmar Ayob said the 65-year-old man, who runs a water filter business in Kuantan, came across a cryptocurrency investment offer on Facebook before joining a WhatsApp group last July.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the victim was then given instructions to make an investment and was promised high returns based on the profits displayed through the Uphold application. After making 53 transactions through Luno, Mxglobal, and Trust Wallet to the Uphold investment account, the victim's Uphold account was frozen on Aug 20 and he was asked to pay RM30,000 as tax to activate it.

However, the victim did not receive any returns as promised and was unable to withdraw the money. The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code. Azry Akmar advised the public to be wary of investment offers promising high returns within a short period, especially those received through social media and messaging applications.

He further emphasized the importance of checking account and telephone numbers via the Semak Mule platform before making any financial transactions. Those who suspect they have fallen victim to a scam are urged to immediately contact the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) at 997 or lodge a police report.