Beware of scammers impersonating officials, cops say after three victims duped in one day

PORT DICKSON: Police have reminded the public to beware of strangers claiming to represent financial institutions or enforcement agencies after three individuals were cheated of about RM34,000 in separate scams on the same day.

Port Dickson OCPD Supt Aidi Sham Mohamed said people should also refrain from revealing their banking details to anyone over the phone, via apps or social media.

He said in the first two cases on Thursday (Dec 23), a 51-year-old site supervisor lost RM11,153 and a 62-year-old retiree lost RM8,600 to individuals claiming to be bank officers.

"The victims were told that credit cards registered under their names had been used to buy Bitcoin and the calls were then purportedly transferred to Bank Negara officers.

"The first victim was asked to reveal his online banking details as the police would be probing the case while the second was told to go to the nearest ATM and increase his withdrawal limit," he said here on Friday (Dec 24).

Supt Aidi Sham said after the first victim gave the suspect his banking details, he found that his savings had been moved to somebody else's account.

The second victim lost RM8,600 after he was asked to transfer his savings to an account belonging to another individual to allow the police to probe his case.

In the third case, a 26-year-old customer service officer lost RM13,900 after being duped by a man claiming to be from the Inland Revenue Board.

"The female victim was told that a company registered under her name had arrears and the call was then apparently transferred to the Kuala Terengganu police contingent," he said

"She then spoke to another suspect who also asked for her banking details to allow police to investigate the case," added Supt Aidi Sham, saying that the victim gave the information to the suspect.

However, after checking her bank account later, she discovered that her savings had been transferred to another account without her knowledge.

The cases are 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.

Supt Aidi Sham said the public can also verify if bank accounts into which they are asked to transfer money are under investigation for cheating at semakmule.rmp.gov.my.

Alternatively, they can also call the Commercial Crime Investigation Department infoline at 013-2111222 or the Scam Response Centre at 03-26101559.