Clerk loses over RM125,000 to scammers

ALOR SETAR: An administrative assistant lost more than RM125,000 after being deceived into believing she was under investigation for money laundering and drug trafficking.

Kedah Commercial Criminal Investigation Department chief Supt Elias Omar said the 46-year-old victim claimed to have received a call from an Inland Revenue Board officer.

“The victim was told she had tax arrears amounting to RM38,600 and that she had to make the payment to avoid legal action and before her bank account was frozen.

“The call was then transferred to another person, who claimed to be from the police, and the victim was told her bank account was used for money-laundering and drug-trafficking activities involving RM2.28mil, ” he said yesterday.

Supt Elias said the victim, after receiving numerous calls and fearing the consequences, got a bank loan of RM120,000.

“She was also instructed to apply for a new ATM card and cancel her online banking, before being told to give her personal information and ATM card details through a link that was sent to her, ” he said.

On Jan 26, the victim contacted the suspect to ask about the investigation into her case.

Unhappy with the answer, the victim checked her bank account and discovered that RM125,498 had been transferred to a third party account in 13 transactions.

Supt Elias advised the public to be wary of individuals impersonating enforcement officers, and to check information they are not sure of at https://ccid.rmp.gov.my/semakmule/ or https://www.facebook.com/JSJKPDRM/ — Bernama