SIBU: A 42-year old teacher in Bintulu was fleeced of RM284,800 in a Macau scam, says the police.
Bintulu OCPD Supt Batholomew Umpit, in a statement on Monday (July 18), said the victim's ordeal started on Jan 14 when she received a call from a man supposedly from an insurance company.
"The man told her that she had made an insurance claim of RM68,000. Before she could deny it, the line was connected to a 'police officer' who claimed to be from the Pudu police station," he said.
The bogus cop claimed that her name was involved in money laundering where 25 bank accounts were under her name. One of the accounts had already been frozen due to the purported illegal activity.
Supt Batholomew said the man promised to clear her name but under certain conditions.
She had to open a new bank account, purchase a new phone number and put all her money in the new account.
"The teacher was also told to borrow from two banks. She complied with all the conditions," he said.
The woman realised she had been cheated when the bank informed her that there were illegal transactions involving her account.
Supt Batholomew said the woman found that a total of RM284,800 had been transferred to a third-party account from January to July.
The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.
