Senior fleeced of hard-earned cash to 'Adun' in the guise of buying devices for needy students

JOHOR BARU: A purported "assemblyman" who needed funds to buy computers for needy students has managed to swindle almost RM5,000 from a senior citizen.

Johor Commercial Criminal Investigation Department chief Asst Comm Mohd Salleh Abdullah said the suspect contacted the 55-year-old victim on Jan 27, and pretended to be an elected politician from Batu Pahat who wanted to borrow money to buy laptops for schools in his constituency.

"The suspect contacted the victim and introduced himself as an adun. He asked the man to transfer RM1,350 into a mule account and promised to pay back the money.

"The suspect then asked the victim to transfer another RM3,500 into the same account. He then attempted to ask for another RM1,500 but the victim refused," he said in a statement here on Friday (Jan 29).

He added the victim, who had lost a total of RM4,850, lodged a police report at the Batu Pahat police station on Thursday (Jan 28).

"The victim started realising that he might have been scammed when he could no longer contact the suspect, and the money was never returned as promised," he said.

He added that the case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.

ACP Salleh also urged the public to make checks with the relevant department and individuals before making any online financial transactions.

"Always meet the person who is asking for money, and never follow instructions given by anyone through social media," he said.

He noted that the Commercial Criminal Investigation Department has also come out with a website and application available on Google Play called 'Semak Mule' where the public could check accounts and contact numbers that have been reported to the police.

He said that the public could also contact the department's infoline at 013-2111222 for enquiries related to commercial crimes.