SIBU: A nurse in her 30s has lost RM154,800 after falling victim to a phone scam.
Sibu OCPD Asst Comm Zulkipli Suhaili said the Commercial Crime Investigation Division received a report from the victim on Monday (Nov 17) and opened an investigation paper under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.
"The victim was contacted by an unknown individual claiming to be an officer from the Kelantan police headquarters," he said in a statement on Tuesday (Nov 18).
"She was told that her name and identity card were linked to a money-laundering case involving another person."
According to ACP Zulkipli, the call was then transferred to other suspects who also pretended to be police officers and told the victim she was implicated in money-laundering activities amounting to RM254,000.
He added that the suspect then told her to "clear her name" by transferring money into several bank accounts for investigation purposes.
Panicked and believing the suspects, the victim made eight transactions totalling RM154,800 into eight local bank accounts from February to May.
"She only realised she had been duped when she could no longer reach the suspect," he added.
ACP Zulkipli warned the public to be cautious of phone calls claiming to be from the authorities, financial institutions or government agencies, especially if they involve requests for banking details or money transfers.
"The police will never instruct the public to transfer money for investigation purposes," he stressed.
Those in need of advice may contact the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) at 997 or follow the Facebook pages @cybercrimealertRMP and @jsjkpdrm.
They may also verify bank accounts and suspicious phone numbers through the Semak Mule website at ccid.rmp.gov.my/semakmule.
