What is the typical process victims follow before realising they are scammed?

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A Broker Lost RM1.45 Million After Falling for a Fraudulent Investment Scheme

A 44-year-old woman lost RM1.45 million to an overseas stock investment scam, a process that typically begins with an enticing advertisement and progresses through stages of building trust and simulated returns before the victim realises the fraud. The victim in this instance discovered an advertisement on Facebook for a Hong Kong stock market investment under the name ‘Pantheon Ventures’, which promised exceptionally high, guaranteed profits. This initial lure led her to be added to a WhatsApp group, ‘V-27 Pantheon Market Insight Academy,’ where she received further investment information and was even offered incentives like a free trip to Hong Kong to meet other investors, all designed to foster a sense of legitimacy and opportunity.
Enticement Through High, Guaranteed Returns

The victim was initially drawn to the advertisement on Facebook, which specifically promoted a stock market investment opportunity in Hong Kong. The scheme, operating under the name ‘Pantheon Ventures’, advertised a remarkable 100 per cent profit for investors, a figure designed to be highly attractive and create a perception of a low-risk, high-reward scenario. Such promises of guaranteed, substantial returns are a common tactic used in investment fraud to quickly capture the interest of potential victims.
Building Trust and Simulated Success

Following her initial interest, the victim was incorporated into a WhatsApp group, ‘V-27 Pantheon Market Insight Academy,’ where she received what appeared to be legitimate investment information. The scammers further cultivated trust by offering a free trip to Hong Kong to meet other investors, a strategy intended to normalise the investment and provide social proof. Crucially, the victim was encouraged to download an application, Apex, to track her investments. Through this application, she initially observed profits and was even permitted to withdraw some earnings, creating a false sense of security and demonstrating the scheme's apparent legitimacy.
Imposed Obstacles to Withdrawal and Realisation of Fraud

The turning point occurred when the victim attempted to withdraw her accrued profits, finding herself unable to do so. Scammers cited various reasons for the withdrawal issues, including investment arrears and non-compliance with set rules, creating further obstacles. Subsequently, she was blocked from the WhatsApp group, severing her communication channel with the perpetrators. It was at this juncture, facing insurmountable difficulties in accessing her funds and being cut off from the group, that the victim realised she had been defrauded and proceeded to file a police report in Muar.

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What is the typical process victims follow before realising they are scammed?

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