PONTIAN: A factory supervisor here has told police that he lost more than RM300,000 in a phone scam.
Pontian OCPD Supt Hadzrat Hussein Mohd Hussain said the 51-year-old victim received a call about two months ago from an individual claiming to be from an insurance company.
"The suspect alleged that the victim made a false claim on his late wife's policy," he said in a statement on Thursday (Dec 11).
Supt Hadzrat Hussein said the call was then transferred to another suspect who claimed to be a police officer.
"The bogus policeman accused the victim of being involved in money laundering and drug distribution," he added.
The victim was then instructed to make online bank transfers to several suspected mule accounts between Oct 7 and Dec 4, amounting to RM306,824.94.
"The victim was told the money would be kept for auditing purposes, and returned after the investigation," Supt Hadzrat Hussein said.
Upon completing the bank transfers, the victim mentioned his case to a friend in the legal sector and was told that he had been conned.
The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.
Supt Hadzrat Hussein reminded the public to be alert to such scam attempts and be careful when dealing with unknown persons, especially when they request financial transactions.
The public can also refer to the Semak Mule portal at https://semakmule.rmp.gov.my/, call the CCID Scam Response Centre at 03-26101599, or go to Facebook @jsjkpdrm and @cybercrimealertrmp.
Scam victims are also advised to call the National Scam Response Centre at 997 to report their cases.
