KUALA LUMPUR: An individual lost funds after being duped into handing over an ATM card and pin number to a scammer posing as a National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) officer.
Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) director Comm Datuk Rusdi Mohd Isa said a police report was lodged on Dec 24.
"The victim claimed to have received a phone call from a woman introducing herself as an officer from the NSRC.
"According to the victim, the caller alleged that the victim’s phone number had been misused to disseminate links related to government financial aid. The victim was subsequently connected to another individual who claimed to be a police officer," he said in a statement.
The so-called police officer then informed the victim that he was allegedly involved in a money laundering case, claiming that an individual had been arrested and that the victim’s name was linked as the owner of a mule account in the case.
"On Dec 4, the individual instructed the victim to place his ATM card at a designated location to be handed over to the police for investigation purposes.
"After surrendering the ATM card along with the personal identification number (PIN), the victim later discovered that funds in his bank account had been gradually withdrawn without his knowledge or consent," he said.
Comm Rusdi stressed that the NSRC, established in October 2022, operates as a one-way communication call centre and only receives calls from members of the public.
"The NSRC does not contact individuals via phone calls or through messaging applications such as WhatsApp.
"As such, any calls or messages claiming to represent the NSRC are purely fraudulent," he said.
He also emphasised that the police do not conduct investigations solely through phone calls.
"Individuals required to assist in investigations will be formally summoned to the investigating officer’s office for further inquiry.
"We advise the public to remain vigilant, refrain from disclosing personal or banking information to unknown parties, and to immediately lodge a police report if they suspect they have fallen victim to a scam," he said.
