BUKIT MERTAJAM: A woman lost more than RM700,000 after falling victim to a phone scam.
Central Seberang Perai OCPD Asst Comm Helmi Aris said the 73-year-old victim had lodged a police report on April 14.
"According to the victim, she lost RM764,511.17 through 59 transactions into six bank accounts from February to April this year," he said in a statement on Tuesday (April 15).
ACP Helmi said the victim was first contacted by the suspect, who posed as a police officer from a station in Pahang, claiming that the victim was involved in money laundering activities and other criminal cases.
He said the suspect then told the victim she would be arrested but offered to help to delete her criminal record.
ACP Helmi said the suspect then asked for the victim's bank details for checking purposes.
"Out of fear, the victim followed the instructions and received several messages containing OTP requests and asked the victim to verify it," he added.
ACP Helmi said the victim began to feel suspicious around April this year because the suspect was still contacting the victim.
He said the victim checked her bank statement and found a total of 59 money transfer transactions to six different bank accounts without the victim's knowledge.
He said the investigation is being conducted under Section 420 of the Penal Code.
"People are also advised to verify any such claims from unknown individuals to avoid falling victim to fraud,” he added.
