KUANTAN: A trader in Jerantut has fallen victim to fraud, losing RM446,800 to scammers posing as Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and police officers.
Pahang police chief Comm Datuk Seri Yahaya Othman said that on Aug 22, the 42-year-old victim received a phone call from someone impersonating an MCMC officer, who claimed that the victim’s phone number was linked to fraudulent activities.
The victim was subsequently referred to another individual, who falsely identified himself as a police officer and informed the victim that there was an arrest warrant out for him related to money laundering, Bernama reported.
“The victim panicked upon receiving the arrest warrant sent by the suspect via WhatsApp.
“Between Oct 22 and 24, he transferred a total of RM446,800, through 51 transactions to 11 different bank accounts provided by the suspect, purportedly for investigation purposes.”
On Oct 25, the victim realised he had been duped when the suspect failed to return the money as promised after the supposed investigation concluded.
