Another retiree duped in online scam

KOTA KINABALU: A government retiree in Sabah’s southwestern Papar district lost more than RM350,000 after being duped by a person impersonating a bank officer.

The scammer was able to transfer out approximately RM352,050 from the 62-year-old woman’s bank account after she gave the caller her bank details as well as the transaction activation code (TAC) number.

Papar OCPD Deputy Supt Kamaruddin Ambo Sakka said the woman received a text message at 9.07am on Aug 17 claiming she had made an online purchase.

He said the woman called the number in the message to enquire about the transaction.

After managing to convince her of the matter, he said, the scammer then asked for all the woman’s banking information.

“She shared all the details including the bank account information and the TAC number.

“The woman only realised the sum of RM352,050 was transferred from her account to a third party without her knowledge on Aug 20,” he said yesterday.

Sensing that she had been cheated, the woman a lodged a report on Tuesday, said DSP Kamaruddin.

“Investigations are being carried out under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating,” he added.

He advised the public not to entertain calls or text messages from an unfamiliar number or individual, especially those claiming to be from government departments or authorised organisations.

He urged people to immediately call the nearest police station to ascertain the details of suspicious calls or text messages, and to keep abreast of the latest scam tactics to avoid similar incidents.