Kuantan: A trader lost nearly RM166,000 after falling victim to a non-existent online investment scam earlier this month. Pahang police chief Datuk Seri Yahaya Othman revealed that the 26-year-old victim was keen on joining the investment and was given a link to register as a member on a website.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the victim was promised returns of between six and 19 percent on the capital invested and began his investment journey on January 1. Over the course of the month, from January 1 to January 29, he transferred his savings of almost RM166,000 into five different bank accounts provided by the suspect.

Suspicion arose when the victim was instructed to make additional payments before he could withdraw his investments. This prompted him to lodge a report at the Kuantan District Police Headquarters. Authorities have since launched an investigation into the matter under Section 420 of the Penal Code.