Two conned of RM18,000 in Macau Scams with new app download tactic

KUALA LUMPUR: Two men have lost a total of more than RM18,000 to Macau Scams with a new twist involving a downloaded app.

Kuala Lumpur Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) chief Asst Comm Mahidisham Ishak said it all started when the victims were contacted by an "Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) officer".

He said the victims, aged 29 and 36, received calls from the so-called LHDN officer on Feb 15 and 17 respectively.

Each victim was told of overdue taxes that had not been settled.

"The calls were then transferred to a 'police officer', who told the victims they were involved in drug-related offences.

"They were told to download an application and fill in their banking details in the app," said ACP Mahidisham in a statement on Wednesday (Feb 23).

He said after a few minutes, the victims saw reductions of RM5,400 and RM13,700.50 in their respective bank accounts.

"They lodged police reports and we are investigating the cases under Section 4(1) of the Computer Crime Act 1997," he said.

ACP Mahidisham advised the public not to download any unfamiliar application and not to divulge banking details to any third party.

"We urge those with information on crime or any suspicious activity to contact the KL police hotline at 03-21460584/0585, the CCID Scam Response Centre at 03-26101559/1599, or the nearest police station," he added.