Jempol OCPD Supt Hoo Chang Hook
JEMPOL: A 32-year-old company executive has lost RM280,000 in a phone scam.
Jempol police chief Supt Hoo Chang Hook said the female victim lodged a report on Sunday (Oct 6) at the Bahau police station after she was duped by individuals impersonating police officers.
He said the victim received a call from a man claiming to be a police inspector.
"The caller accused the victim of being involved in money laundering as well as other illegal activities," he said.
Supt Hoo said the victim denied it and was transferred to another scammer who claimed that police had seized 200 identity cards in an operation, one of which belonged to the victim.
"When the victim denied wrongdoing, the suspect said police would probe her finances and told her to transfer her savings into several accounts for auditing," he said.
Supt Hoo said the victim then transferred her savings into six bank accounts given by the scammers.
"The woman became suspicious as they kept asking for more money.
"She then decided to call the Melaka police contingent to check and was told that there were no such officers there and that she had been scammed," he said.
Supt Hoo said it was unfortunate that people were still falling for such scams despite awareness campaigns.
"The scammers keep using the same modus operandi and sadly, we still get people falling victim," he said.
The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating, which carries a jail term of between one and 10 years, whipping and a fine upon conviction.
The public can also call the police’s CCID Scam Response Centre at 03-2610 1559 or 03-2610 1599 for additional information.
