JOHOR BARU: A housewife has been scammed out of RM300,000 by a person claiming to be a senior police officer from Bukit Aman.
Seri Alam OCPD Supt Mohd Sohaimi Ishak said that the 49-year-old victim had lodged a police report on Monday (Dec 9), claiming to be a victim of a phone scam.
“Her ordeal started on Nov 15 when she received a call from a man who identified himself as an officer from Bukit Aman's intelligence unit with the 'Datuk' title.
“The suspect told the victim that she was involved in money laundering and drug smuggling and her MyKad was found in the possession of a man arrested by the police,” he said here on Tuesday (Dec 10).
Supt Mohd Sohaimi added that the suspect then instructed the victim to go to the Kedah police headquarters, claiming there was an arrest warrant issued against her name.
“However, the suspect then told the victim that if she wanted to make things much easier and clear her name from any criminal cases, she must make some payments.
“Believing in the suspect’s words, she then made six financial transactions to one bank account given to her by the suspect between Nov 21 and 26 amounting to RM300,000,” he said.
Supt Mohd Sohaimi also added that during the period, the victim was also instructed to report her every movement and location to the suspect.
He said the victim was also instructed to erase all money transaction slips and conversation records with the suspect.
“The victim only realise she been cheated after watching a video about a cheating syndicate shared by one of her children before lodging her police report,” he added.
Supt Mohd Sohaimi said the case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code and Section 424 of the same Act to cover investigations into the mule account.
“The police would like to advise the public to be more vigilant and not panic or fall for any phone calls coming from unknown individuals claiming to be a representatives from any security agency,” he added.
He said that the public should use online services that have been provided by the police Commercial Crime Investigation Department such as National Scam Response Centre, CCID infoline, Semak Mule and its Facebook page for latest information on scamming tactics.
