{
  "id": 7939601,
  "title": "Kuantan businessman loses RM218,000 after 53 transactions in crypto scam",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/kuantan-businessman-loses-rm218-000-after-53-transactions-in-crypto",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-17T03:25:14.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/09/17/kuantan-businessman-loses-rm218000-after-53-transactions-in-crypto-scam/235487"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "KUANTAN, Sept 17 — A 65-year-old water filter businessman in Kuantan has lost RM218,239.24 following a suspected cryptocurrency investment scam on social media. According to acting Pahang police chief Datuk Azry Akmar Ayob, the man encountered a cryptocurrency investment advertisement on Facebook last July and joined a corresponding WhatsApp group. He was then directed to make 53 transactions via Luno, Mxglobal, and Trust Wallet to an Uphold investment account, with promises of high returns. However, the victim's Uphold account was frozen on August 20, and he was requested to pay RM30,000 in taxes to reactivate it. Despite these payments, he failed to receive the promised returns or withdraw his funds.\n\nPolice advise the public to exercise caution when encountering investment offers that guarantee high returns within a short timeframe, particularly those originating from social media or messaging applications. It is recommended to verify contact information through the Semak Mule platform before conducting any financial transactions. The police urge anyone who believes they have been scammed to immediately contact the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) at 997 or file a police report.",
  "summary": "KUANTAN, Sept 17 — A senior citizen lost RM218,239.24 after he was believed to have fallen victim to a non-existen...",
  "key_points": [
    "65-year-old Kuantan businessman loses RM218,239.24 in crypto scam",
    "Victim made 53 transactions via Luno, Mxglobal, Trust Wallet",
    "Uphold account frozen, RM30,000 tax demanded for reactivation"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Kuantan businessman loses RM218,000 after 53 transactions in crypto scam",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/kuantan-businessman-loses-rm218-000-after-53-transactions-in-crypto-7940641",
        "published": "2026-09-17T03:25:14.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}