Penang: A teacher lost RM604,000 after she was duped by an online investment syndicate using a gambling machine concept near here recently. Penang police chief Datuk Azizee Ismail said the 57-year-old woman claimed that in August, a man who introduced himself as an investment agent added her to a WhatsApp group called 'pelaburan sentosa.'

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the victim was informed that the investment promised profits of up to 350 per cent within one month from the capital invested. Azizee said the woman, who became interested in the offer, was instructed to access a website via a provided link, register as a member and make her investments.

Believing the scheme, she subsequently made 20 fund transfers totaling RM604,000 into five different company accounts between Oct 2 and Oct 31. He said the victim only realized she had been cheated when she failed to withdraw the purported profit of RM1.8 million displayed in the application.

She lodged a report at the Barat Daya District Police Headquarters yesterday. The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code.