KUALA LUMPUR: A love scam victim lost millions over nearly a decade without a single face-to-face interaction.
At a press conference on Tuesday (Dec 17), Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) director Comm Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf stated that this might be the longest single case of a victim being duped in a love scam.
The victim, a 67-year-old woman, first connected with the scammer via Facebook in Oct 2017, entering an online "relationship."
"According to the victim, the scammer introduced himself as an American businessman working in medical equipment procurement in Singapore. After a month of communication, they grew closer and began an online relationship.
He claimed he wanted to move to Malaysia but couldn't afford the transportation fees. She agreed to help and made her first bank transfer of RM5,000.
"From then on, the suspect frequently asked for more money, citing personal and business issues. She was duped into making 306 bank transfers to 50 different bank accounts, totalling losses of RM2,210,692.60," he explained.
Comm Ramli added that the funds included loans from friends and family members.
The victim only realised she had been scammed after sharing her experiences with a friend in November this year.
Comm Ramli noted that the victim never met her so-called lover in person or via video calls.
"The man used all sorts of excuses. It was only through voice calls," he said.
He urged people to be cautious when communicating online and to be sceptical, especially when money is involved.
"Do not rush into 'serious' relationships. Be sceptical when it seems too good to be true and when someone quickly pushes for a serious relationship.
"Question intentions, especially when a new relationship involves requests for money or personal details," he advised.
