Contractor Loses RM356,000 in “Marinasand” Investment Scam

A contractor in Pahang has suffered a devastating financial loss of more than RM356,000 after becoming entangled in an online investment scam that authorities say never existed.

The 34-year-old victim was drawn into the scheme after encountering an advertisement on Google on 18 February. The promotion directed him to a website operating under the name “Marinasand”, which presented itself as a legitimate investment platform offering unusually high returns. According to police, the platform promised profits of up to 10 per cent on invested funds, a figure that proved enticing enough to prompt swift action.

After registering on the site, the contractor began transferring money into what he believed were legitimate investment accounts. Over the course of a month, from 18 February to 19 March, he carried out a total of 16 transactions. The funds, sourced from both his personal savings and company reserves, were channelled into five separate bank accounts.

Authorities later confirmed that these accounts were not linked to any genuine investment operation.

Initially, the scheme appeared credible. The victim received a small return of approximately RM1,000, reinforcing his confidence in the platform. However, this proved to be a calculated tactic often used by fraudsters to build trust before extracting larger sums. Shortly after the final transactions were made, the victim discovered that he could no longer access the website. By then, all communication had ceased, and the invested funds had effectively disappeared.

Pahang police chief Datuk Seri Yahaya Othman explained that the case reflects a growing pattern of online investment fraud targeting individuals through digital advertising channels. He noted that scammers are increasingly using professional-looking websites and persuasive marketing tactics to create a false sense of legitimacy.

The incident highlights the speed at which victims can be drawn into such schemes. Within just a few weeks, the contractor had committed a substantial amount of money without verifying the authenticity of the platform. The use of multiple bank accounts further complicated the trail, making recovery efforts more challenging.

Law enforcement officials have reiterated the importance of exercising caution when encountering investment opportunities online, particularly those that promise guaranteed or unusually high returns. Early verification remains one of the most effective safeguards against fraud.

Authorities have advised members of the public to seek guidance from the police or relevant financial bodies before committing funds to any investment scheme. They also recommend checking suspicious bank account numbers through official platforms such as the Semak Mule database, which tracks accounts linked to fraudulent activities.

In cases where fraud is suspected, immediate action is critical. Victims are urged to contact the National Scam Response Centre to improve the chances of tracing and recovering lost funds. Delays can significantly reduce the likelihood of intervention, as scammers often move money rapidly across multiple accounts.