Pensioner loses RM123,500 life savings to scammers

Slowing exports and tepid inflation have raised expectations that policy makers will need to consider adding to May

KUANTAN (Bernama): A female pensioner in her 60s was fleeced of her life savings of RM123,500 within a week after allegedly being cheated by someone claiming to be a "Bank Negara officer".

Pahang Commercial Crime Investigation Department chief Supt Mohd Wazir Mohd Yusof said the victim received a phone call from a person claiming to be a "police officer" from Bukit Aman on April 24.

The suspect claimed the victim's name was linked to an illegal gambling syndicate and had to speak to a "representative" of Bank Negara, known as Razak to assist in the investigation.

"Razak is alleged to have directed the victim to transfer all her savings in three banks - including the Tabung Haji savings - into a temporary account opened by Bank Negara so that the money was not confiscated in the investigation.

"The victim was worried about losing her money and made 24 money transfers to four accounts given by the suspect from April 26 to May 2," he told reporters here on Saturday (July 27).

The victim realised she had been cheated after failing to contact Razak, but only lodged a police report at the Temerloh district police headquarters on Friday (July 26), added Mohd Wazir.

The investigation is being conducted under Section 420 of the Penal Code. - Bernama