SIBU: A 44-year-old woman here has been fleeced of over RM150,000 in a love scam.
Sibu OCPD Asst Comm Zulkipli Suhaili said police received a report from the victim on Tuesday (Dec 13), claiming she had lost the money to a man she befriended on social media.
ACP Zulkipli said the victim became acquainted with a man on Facebook sometime in September.
"On Oct 8, the suspect contacted the victim through WhatsApp.
"He told her that he had been detained by Immigration at KLIA for bringing in a large sum of British pounds. The man asked for her help to secure his release," he said on Wednesday (Dec 14).
As she believed his story and sympathised with him, ACP Zulkipli added, she made 12 transfers totalling RM152,050 from Oct 10 to Dec 5 to two bank account numbers provided by the suspect.
"However she eventually felt that the man had cheated her," he said.
He advised the public to be wary of people they meet on social media.
"Don't easily believe stories told by strangers.
"Also, do not be so quick to send money to people you only know through social media," he said.
