SIBU: A 50-year-old woman loses RM110,000 to a fraud syndicate offering help to redeem winnings from number predictions.
The victim, a trader, reported the scam to the police on Friday (April 11) after realizing she was deceived between March 20 and 31.
Sibu OCPD Asst Comm Zulkipli Suhaili said the victim met two new acquaintances at a fast-food outlet near Tanahmas Hotel on March 20.
During their conversation, a foreign man approached, claiming he had won RM500,000 through number predictions but couldn't redeem it due to his non-Malaysian status.
He offered the victim a chance to claim the prize if she paid RM200,000 upfront, said Zulkipli in a statement on Saturday (April 12).
The two acquaintances also promised to contribute RM150,000 and RM20,000 to the victim as a joint investment.
The victim agreed, transferring funds in stages via online transactions and four cash payments to a local account.
After paying RM110,000, she was told to wait three weeks for the withdrawal, he added.
When no payout occurred, she was asked for an additional RM3,000.
Growing suspicious, the victim realized she was scammed and lodged a police report.
Police have launched an investigation under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.
