KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian shuttler Lai Pei Jing, who has lost an estimated RM400,000 in life savings to a scam, has moved on to focus on winning badminton tournaments.

Lai, 31, a professional mixed doubles shuttler, now focuses on winning the badminton tournaments and seeking more sponsors to support her for the tournaments.

Lai had lodged a police report for being cheated, and revealed the details on her Facebook how she was cheated by a “friend” to invest in Dobevil, a fraudulent e-commerce platform.

Lai is currently ranked world No 17 with Tan Kian Meng, said, “I was initially ashamed of disclosing the ordeal. But I did not want others to become victims and decided to reveal the details.

“It is almost impossible for me to keep calm. I have accepted what has happened to me and decided to live on,” she said.

Lai is now focusing on training hard and winning more tournaments.

“I think in a positive way. I am healthy and fortunately I can still make money. I have learned to be grateful after being scammed,” she told Sin Chew Daily after attending the launch of Victor Concept Store at MyTown, Kuala Lumpur, Tuesday.

Lai and Tan made it to semi-finals in 2024 Indonesia Open and 2024 Australia Open this year. She also partnered with Lim Chiew Sien in women’s doubles where both managed to reach finals in Australia Open.

She won a total US$20,020 in cash awards before tax from the two tournaments: Australia Open and Indonesia Open.

It was family support that helped Lai focus in these two tournaments.

She only made it to the second round with Tan in Singapore Open right after she was scammed.

“I must thank my partner Tan for his support and understanding. I was getting better in Indonesia Open because of his support,” said Lai.

The pair will be playing in Japan, South Korea and Europe from August to December, and they are looking for sponsors to pay for the air tickets and accommodation.