JB housewife loses RM34,000 after fraudsters wipe out her bank account

JOHOR BARU: A housewife lost over RM34,000 in savings after the money was transferred out of her bank account without her knowledge.

The 58-year-old victim, only known as Lai, said she was shocked to find only RM20 left in her bank account when she wanted to make an online transaction on Dec 29 last year.

"I immediately went to the bank in Taman Johor Jaya to check and found out the money was transferred to five different accounts in six transactions on Dec 27 and Dec 28.

"The amount transferred differed, bringing the total to RM34,299. I do not know who the recipients are nor have I transferred money to them before," she said at a press conference called by Johor Jaya assemblyman Liow Cai Tung here on Tuesday (Feb 7).

Lai said she lodged a police report and filed a complaint with Bank Negara within the following week.

"The bank refuses to take any responsibility as they claimed that a one-time password (OTP) was sent out for the transactions but I never received any of them.

"If I did, I would have gone to the bank immediately on the very same day.

"It is saddening as I slowly saved the money over the years as I am not working and my husband is retired," she said.

The mother of one added that she did not download any unnecessary apps on her smartphone and did not click on any suspicious-looking links.