Retiree cheated of over RM100,000 in Macau scam

SEREMBAN: A 66-year-old retiree from Port Dickson has lost almost RM110,000 in a Macau scam.

Negri Sembilan Commercial Crime Investigation Department chief Supt Aibee Ab Ghani said the victim, who worked in the oil and gas industry previously, received a call from a man who introduced himself as "Sergeant Lee" from the Ipoh police headquarters on Dec 10.

The caller claimed that the retiree's savings were from ill-gotten gains, Supt Aibee said in a statement on Wednesday (Dec 22).

"The victim then told the caller that the money in his bank account was inherited from his father.

"The suspect then told the victim to transfer the money to another account to allow the police to probe the case," he said.

Negri Sembilan Commercial Crimes Investigations Department chief Supt Aibee Ab Ghani

The victim went to the bank on Dec 13 and transferred RM50,000 into an account in another bank belonging to one Hadir Andi.

After the victim did this, the suspect sent him a copy of a letter purportedly from the National Audit Department via WhatsApp, stating that his case was being investigated.

The suspect then told the victim that he would have to transfer more of his savings to allow the authorities to continue their investigation.

On Dec 14, the victim made two other transactions and transferred a total of RM53,500 into the same bank account. He transferred a further RM5,000 the following day.

"The victim then called the suspect and was told that the money would be returned to him once the probe was completed after a certain time.

"However, when the victim did not hear from the suspect after a few days, he realised that he had been cheated and lodged a police report," Supt Aibee said.

The case is being probed under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating. The offence carries a jail term of between one and 10 years, whipping and a fine, upon conviction.