TAWAU: A businessman and a part-time model are among 300 individuals who suffered losses exceeding RM5 million after being deceived by an offer from a gold investment company operating in the district since May this year.
All victims claimed to have been promised substantial returns as 'Gold Investment Business Partners', receiving RM25 per gramme or five to 15 per cent within 10 days based on the investment amount made to the company.
However, the victims not only failed to receive the promised profit returns, but some lost mortgaged land, sold assets and withdrew savings to make the investments.
Liana Friska Ramle, 35, a victim and gold shop owner, said initially, she and over 300 other business partners invested more than RM3 million before receiving profit payments for three consecutive months.
"However, we began to realise we were cheated on when we no longer received profit payments in August, and the original investment capital was also not returned as agreed before.
"We are only demanding our rights, hoping that the public will not fall into questionable investments," she said at a press conference here today.
A police report on this case was filed at the Tawau district police headquarters on Dec 14.
Liana said she also received threats from business partners as she brought them into the investment company, along with being defamed on social media, causing disturbance to her mental and emotional well-being.
Another victim, Rendiani Mohd Rejab @Mexxren, 18, who is a part-time model and social media influencer, suffered a loss of RM26,000 after joining the investment in early June.
Meanwhile, lawyer Abdul Ghani Zelika, who represents the victims, said they have served a letter of demand to the owner of the investment company before filing a lawsuit in the Tawau court.
Tawau district police chief, assistant commissioner Jasmin Hussin confirmed receiving the victims' report and stated that investigations under Section 420 of the Penal Code are ongoing.
"Investigations regarding this case are still ongoing and further actions will be continued as soon as instructions from the deputy public prosecutor are obtained," he said.