{
  "id": 7946800,
  "title": "Senior citizen loses RM218,239 in crypto scam",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/senior-citizen-loses-rm218-239-in-crypto-scam",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-17T04:10:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Vibes",
    "slug": "the-vibes",
    "url": "https://www.thevibes.com/articles/news/127380/senior-citizen-loses-rm218239-in-crypto-scam"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A 65-year-old water filter salesman from Kuantan has lost RM218,239 after falling victim to a cryptocurrency investment scam, according to police in Pahang. The elderly man realized he had been deceived only when he was asked to pay RM30,000 to unfreeze his digital account.\n\nThe victim became a target after clicking on a cryptocurrency investment advertisement on Facebook in July. He was then added to a WhatsApp group where he was assured of high returns based on profits displayed on a popular cryptocurrency trading platform. Over the course of 53 transactions, the victim transferred a total of RM218,239 to various accounts linked to the fraudulent scheme.\n\nActing Pahang police chief Datuk Azry Akmar Ayob revealed that on August 20, the victim was informed that his digital account had been frozen, and he was required to pay an additional RM30,000. A family member later alerted the victim about the possibility that the scheme could be fraudulent, prompting the man to file a police report the following day.\n\nThe case is now under investigation under Section 420 of the Penal Code, which pertains to cheating. If convicted, the perpetrator could face a jail term ranging from one to ten years, along with a fine and whipping.",
  "summary": "A 65-YEAR-OLD water filter salesman from Kuantan lost RM218,239 in savings after being lured into a cryptocurrency investment, only realising he had been duped when he was asked to pay another RM30,000 to unfreeze his account. Acting Pahang police ch...",
  "key_points": [
    "65-year-old Kuantan man loses RM218,239 to crypto scam",
    "Victim misled by Facebook ad and WhatsApp group promises",
    "Additional RM30,000 demanded to unfreeze frozen digital account"
  ],
  "editors_take": "This case highlights the vulnerability of individuals to online scams, particularly those promising high returns, and the importance of swift intervention by family members in preventing further financial loss.",
  "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."
}