The Cyber Crime Investigation Division of the Royal Brunei Police Force is warning the public about the increasing prevalence of investment scams being promoted through the Telegram application.
These scams offer non-existent investment opportunities, promising attractive and risk-free returns within a short period. Victims are asked to pay advance fees and make transfers to unknown bank accounts. The perpetrators use various names and disguise themselves as licensed banks or investment companies, employing legitimate names, logos, credentials, and websites to promote these fraudulent schemes. They create public groups on Telegram to lure investors with fake testimonials and claims of Syariah compliance. Interested investors are then directed to deal directly with individuals who request deposits into personal accounts.
The criminals falsely claim that their entities and investment schemes are approved by authorities, which is not true.
The public is reminded not to be deceived by such offers, as the promised investment returns are typically unrealistic and unsustainable. Victims are often pressured to make hasty decisions under the pretense that the offer is valid for a limited time, which is a tactic to prevent further scrutiny.
It is also noted that those involved in or facilitating these scams, whether through lending or renting bank accounts and phone numbers for these purposes, could face legal action under Section 109 (Abetment), 120B (Criminal Conspiracy), 411 (Dishonestly Receiving Stolen Property), 419 (Cheating by Impersonation), 420 (Cheating and Dishonestly Inducing Delivery of Property), and 424 (Dishonestly or Fraudulently Transferring or Concealing Property) of the Penal Code Chapter 22; Section 3(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Crime Asset Recovery Order 2012 and Section 93(1) of the Unauthorised Deposit Taking, Banking Order 2006.
The RBPF urges anyone who suspects they have been contacted by unauthorised entities or individuals, or have received suspicious investment offers, to report them to the Central Bank of Brunei Darussalam and the RBPF.
The RBPF further warned that any investment through online applications such as Telegram often leads to fraud. The community is encouraged to conduct thorough research and seek legitimate financial advice before making any investment decisions. – JAMES KON
