Taiping woman loses more than RM180,000 through parcel scam

IPOH: A 55-year-old housewife in Taiping lost RM181,650 after falling victim to a parcel scam.

Perak police chief Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri said the woman had, on Feb 21 at about 2pm, received a call from an individual claiming to be from a courier company regarding a package that she (victim) had “sent” to Kuantan in Pahang.

He said the individual told the victim that the parcel contained three identification cards, three passports, and two ATM cards.

“The victim told the caller that she did not post such items, and shortly she received another call from the supposed courier company, and the call was then transferred to the Pahang police contingent headquarters, with the person claiming that a police report had been lodged, and told her to check her WhatsApp.

“She then received a video call, and the person introduced himself as 'Inspector Chong', and said he needed to take her statement regarding the police report lodged.

“He told the victim that she was involved in money laundering activities with a bank manager in Taiping, where she sold her bank account to the manager for illegal activities for RM150,000,” he said in a statement on Sunday (Feb 25).

Comm Mohd Yusri said the victim denied selling her account and denied receiving any money.

“He then told her if she wanted to solve the matter, she needed to settle the matter with a Datuk Kong, supposedly from the police headquarters on the same day, and at about 4pm, she received a WhatsApp message from the person (Datuk Kong).

“The victim was told to put all her savings into several accounts provided by the suspect for investigation purposes, and if she failed to do so, her bank accounts would be frozen.

“The victim became scared and panicked, and made 20 transactions to four different bank accounts amounting to RM181,650,” he added.

He said the victim later realised, and suspected that she had been cheated. Without hesitation, she lodged a police report on Saturday (Feb 24).

The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.

“I have been saying this many times, do not fall into any possible scam threat after receiving phone calls from unknown numbers.

“Do not panic when someone claims they are from any enforcement agencies.

“Do not entertain such calls, and disconnect the call immediately. The police will not call anyone to make any arrests,” he added.