KUANTAN: A 42-year-old company manager lost RM150,000 after being conned into investing in a non-existent project by a bogus businessman.
In the June 6 incident, the victim was contacted by a 35-year-old businessman who claimed that the latter's company had been awarded a tender to supply wire mesh (fine wires) worth RM368,000 to another company.
However, the suspect claimed that his company had insufficient capital and the victim agreed to invest some funds for the project.
Pahang Commercial Crime Investigation Department chief Superintendent Mohd Wazir Mohd Yusof said both parties had reached an agreement on June 17 before the victim transferred RM150,000 into the suspect's company account.
"The victim contacted the suspect on July 5 to check on the status of the returns from the investment but the suspect avoided the victim by giving excuses and never paid any money.
"The victim realised something was amiss and when he verified the invoice regarding the project, he was informed that it was fake. The suspect had also admitted through 'WhatsApp' that he had duped the victim to obtain the cash," he said, adding the victim then lodged a police report.
Wazir said investigations revealed that the suspect had produced a fake invoice to convince the victim to surrender cash for the bogus investment.
He said the case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating, which provides a maximum jail term of 10 years and whipping, and a fine if convicted.