JEMPOL: A phone call cost a retiree nearly RM45,000 in life savings after he was blackmailed by his long-distance crush, who video-recorded him with his pants down.
Jempol police chief Supt Hoo Chang Hook said the retired civil servant’s troubles started on May 29 after the woman, believed to be in a foreign country, contacted him via Facebook Messenger.
She asked for his mobile number and they began communicating via phone.
“On June 3, the woman, who was naked, made a video call to the victim and asked him to remove his clothes as well,” said Supt Hoo.
The man, who was driving during the incident, pulled down his trousers and exposed his private parts during the one-minute video call.
A short while later, the victim received a video clip of his face and genitals from the woman.
“The following day, he received the same clip, and the woman asked him to pay 15 million rupiah (about RM4,330) if he wanted the clip to be erased,” said Supt Hoo.
“She threatened to send the clip to his family and friends if he didn’t pay up.”
The man asked for a reduction and she agreed to bring it down to RM2,000.
The victim transferred the money to a foreign bank account. Despite the payment, she kept harassing him between June 5 and 7 for more money.
The victim transferred RM42,500 to the woman via five transactions.
“On Sunday, the woman again called the victim and demanded he pay her RM58,500.
“Since he had no more savings, he ignored the woman’s request and decided to lodge a report,” Supt Hoo said, adding that the victim eventually told his wife and sister about the incident.
