{
  "id": 12043037,
  "title": "Retiree loses RM367,950 in WhatsApp investment scam",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/retiree-loses-rm367-950-in-whatsapp-investment-scam",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-05T00:56:36.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/regional/2026/10/1547786/retiree-loses-rm367950-whatsapp-investment-scam"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "KUALA TERENGGANU: A retired man in his 70s lost RM367,950 after being scammed through an investment scheme on WhatsApp. The victim was first contacted by a woman named Via on July 31, who claimed to have messaged him by mistake. Over the course of several interactions, Via gained his trust and proposed an investment opportunity. Upon receiving returns from his initial transactions, the victim trusted the scheme and continued to invest. Between August 22 and September 30, he made 72 transfers involving 13 accounts, sending a total of RM367,950. However, he did not receive any further returns. When he attempted to withdraw his money, the operator claimed there were issues with his account, requesting an additional RM80,765 in processing fees. The victim refused and subsequently reported the incident. The case is under investigation for cheating under Section 420 of the Penal Code.",
  "summary": "KUALA TERENGGANU: A retiree in his 70s lost RM367,950 in savings and proceeds from a land sale after falling victim to an online investment scam involving a woman he befriended on WhatsApp.",
  "key_points": [
    "Retired man in his 70s scammed RM367,950 via WhatsApp investment scheme.",
    "Scammer, named Via, gained victim's trust over multiple interactions.",
    "Victim made 72 transfers, refused to pay RM80,765 processing fee."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The scam's use of a fabricated investment opportunity and false returns to gain trust highlights the evolving tactics of scammers targeting vulnerable individuals, particularly retirees.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}