Leong Yoe Wai 56 (right) and Perak MCA Public Service and Complaints Bureau chief Low Guo Nan. Leong says he lost RM3,700 after his savings account was hacked.
IPOH: A semi-retired contractor is shocked that about RM3,700 from his bank account have been transferred out without his knowledge and consent.
Leong Yoe Wai, 56, said the money had been transferred to the accounts of two people whom he does not know on July 30.
"I was about to transfer some money to my insurance agent and I was shocked to find out that my savings account only had about RM11 left.
"When I checked with the bank, I found out that the money had been transferred to some people's accounts that I am not familiar with," he told a press conference held by Ipoh Barat MCA coordinator Low Guo Nan here on Wednesday (Aug 17).
"There had been three transactions made on July 25 within two minutes," he said, adding that he did not get any one time password (OTP) text messages at all.
"In fact, the only time I got the OTP was when I set up my online banking account and subsequent transactions did not prompt me," he added.
Leong said he rarely uses the account and the money was for emergencies only.
"I normally pay using cash and would only transfer money to people I know," he said, adding that a police report has been lodged on the matter.
When asked whether he had inadvertently clicked onto some suspicious links from text messages or websites, Leong said he had been very careful.
"If I get random text messages, I will ignore these.
"I don't even play games on the phone or simply use it for anything else, as I know I have a banking app on it," he said.
"Even though it's not really a big amount, it is still my hard-earned money.
"The bank had even told me that my smartphone may have been hacked," he said.
"I have been traumatised by the matter that I have even withdrawn my fixed deposits from the bank and closed the savings account," he added.
Leong said he called for the press conference, hoping the police can arrest those responsible.
"I also hope the bank can find the culprits and return my money.
"I feel wronged in this matter, as my money got transferred out without my knowledge," he said.
Low said he believed that incidents as experienced by Leong are not isolated and are happening nationwide.
"I urge the government, Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, banks and the police to look into these cases seriously.
"Banks need to find ways to further help people secure their hard-earned money," he said.
