Vending

Reports filed over Malaysian vending machine investment scam, over $1.4M lost

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February 10, 2025

A vending machine investment scam in Malaysia has resulted in losses totaling over $1.4 million, with 58 police reports filed so far, according to a report by The Star. The scam, linked to Smart Vending Sdn Bhd, involved multiple investment packages promising high returns, but victims claim they never received the promised profits.

Bukit Aman's Commercial Crime Investigation Department director, Comm Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf, revealed that the total losses were estimated at $1,448,000. He urged caution in future investments, warning against trusting unknown parties.

One victim, who wished to be known as Priema, a 60-year-old woman, shared that she lost $17,000 after investing her retirement savings in vending machines. "I received over $2,000 in returns and felt confident, so I urged my husband to invest," she told the news outlet.