From Hope to Heartbreak: How a Housewife Fell Victim to Online Trading Scam "Sahabat Investment Trade"

Fraudulent investment groups on Telegram have become increasingly prevalent, exploiting the platform’s popularity and ease of use to lure unsuspecting victims. By offering seemingly foolproof opportunities for high returns with little to zero risk, these scams lure victims with fabricated testimonials and supposed success stories.

In addition to traders seeking lucrative trades and investments, many other individuals, like the housewife in the case below, are drawn in by the hope of supplementing their income, only to find themselves trapped in a web of deceit and unable to recover their investments. 

The following case exemplifies the dangers of such scams and underscores the need for increased awareness and vigilance.

A Housewife Lost RM 2,000 to an Investment Scam Group on Telegram Called Sahabat Investment Trade

A full-time housewife, seeking to supplement her household income by investing, found herself ensnared in a fraudulent investment group on Telegram, “Sahabat Investment Trade”. She was added to the group by an anonymous user and was soon inundated with numerous profit-sharing testimonials from other supposed clients, who are all scammers. These glowing reviews piqued her interest, making her believe this could be a viable way to earn money while managing her household duties.

scammer contact details and “Sahabat Investment Trade” group details

After communication with the admin, she decided to invest RM 2,000, split into two transactions of RM 500 and RM 1,500, respectively. The trading packages offered by “Sahabat Investment Trade” promise effortless high profits, such as RM15,000 for RM500 and RM60,000 for RM1,500. She had double-checked with the admin about any additional fees and was assured there would be none. However, after a few hours, although her account showed a “profit” of RM 90,000, the admin began making excuses, claiming she needed to pay a brokerage fee for currency conversion.

fake trading packages offered by "Sahabat Investment Trade" and fake profit shown on client trading account

Realizing something was amiss, she immediately halted her involvement and requested a withdrawal of her funds. Unfortunately, her request was met with silence, and she found herself blocked by the scammer, unable to retrieve her investment.

Final Warning: Vigilance Points

This type of scam is a tried-and-true tactic employed by fraudsters, who exploit the allure of easy money and guaranteed profits to trap their targets. Despite the widespread awareness of such schemes, many people still fall into their traps, driven by the hope of quick financial gains. These deceptive tricks create a false sense of security and trust, making it easier for scammers to exploit unsuspecting investors. 

The destructiveness of these schemes lies not only in the financial losses suffered by victims but also in the emotional and psychological toll they take. The above case illustrates the devastating impact of such fraudulent schemes.

Therefore, extreme caution is necessary when encountering investment opportunities that promise high returns with minimal risk. It’s crucial to conduct thorough research and verify the credibility of any investment schemes before committing any funds.