19-year-old student loses RM37,000 in Macau scam

IPOH: A 19-year-old student here was cheated of about RM37,000 in a purported Macau scam.

Jay Ng said he received a phone call, supposedly from Telekom Malaysia, on Friday (Aug 13) alleging that his mobile number was being used in an illegal gambling activity in Seremban.

Ng said he was told to lodge a report with the Seremban police, and was given a number of the district police station, which he later found out had been spoofed.

"I checked the number on the Internet to verify its authenticity.

"As the same number was shown, I then believed the matter to be true and started to get worried," he told a virtual press conference held by Perak MCA public service and complaints bureau chief Low Guo Nan on Tuesday (aug 17).

"A man, claiming to be one Asst Comm Datuk Hafiz, said he could help clear my name, but needed me to deposit some money first," he added.

Ng said he first transferred RM20,000 to a bank account belonging to one "Mohd Nasrullah".

"I was then told to transfer RM11,800 to a different account under 'Ramly Ab Hamid', and another RM5,000 to the same account," he said.

"Having almost cleared my bank account, I was asked for more and to borrow from friends or relatives.

"I then informed my father who told me to stop what I was doing as he believed that I had been scammed," said Ng, who added the money was inherited from his late mother for him to further his studies.

"I am aware of scam cases, but did not think that they would use a police station's number," said Low, who added people should always be vigilant.

"First, the people should never panic, and to go to the nearest police station to verify the matter.

"They should never ever reveal bank accounts and online banking details to strangers," said Low, who added that subsequent checks with the Semak MULE portal (a list maintained by the police commercial crime investigation department) found both accounts to be listed there.

"Why weren't the accounts frozen and are still actively being used by the syndicates?

"I hope the relevant authorities will work together to fight against these crimes that are getting rampant," he said.