MUAR: A 67-year-old retiree lost more than RM170,000 after being duped by a scammer claiming to be an officer from the National Anti-Financial Crime Centre.
Muar OCPD Asst Comm Raiz Mukhliz Azman Aziz said the victim, a former private sector employee, received a call from an unknown number on Oct 12.
“The caller apparently accused the retiree of being involved in suspicious financial activities.
“The call was then ‘transferred’ to another individual who introduced himself as a police officer from the Sarawak police headquarters,” said ACP Raiz Mukhliz in a statement on Tuesday (Nov 18).
He added that the victim was instructed to transfer money to several bank accounts for so-called investigation purposes.
“Out of fear, he made 17 transactions from Oct 29 to Nov 6, amounting to RM173,506,” he said.
The case has been classified under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating, which carries imprisonment of not less than one year and not more than 10 years, with whipping, and a fine.
ACP Raiz Mukhliz urged the public to stay vigilant, especially when dealing with matters involving financial transactions.
Those who suspect they have fallen victim to fraud should also contact the National Scam Response Centre at 997 or contact the police immediately.
