CHUKAI: A factory supervisor lost RM537,000 after falling victim to a phone scam syndicate.
Kemaman OCPD Supt Mohd Razi Rosli said the 59-year-old man received a call on Aug 31 last year from syndicate members impersonating an insurance agent and a police officer.
The suspects claimed that the victim had made a false insurance claim at a private hospital in Selangor and was facing legal action.
"The victim was instructed to open a new savings account at a local bank and transfer RM400,000 from his Employees Provident Fund (EPF) savings into the account.
"He was also told to grant the suspects access to avoid arrest,” Supt Mohd Razi said.
Between Feb 9 and Sept 12, the victim transferred a further RM137,000 in 56 transactions to 30 different accounts under threat from the suspects.
He realised he had been scammed when attempts to contact the suspects for updates failed.
"Upon checking, the victim found all the EPF funds in the new account had vanished.
"Further investigation showed 21 transfers to eight accounts between Sept 5 and 11, 2024,” he said.
The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.
Supt Mohd Razi urged the public to contact the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) at 997 to verify any information before making money transfers to third-party accounts. — Bernama
