TANGKAK: A 69-year-old local woman lost RM98,000 after allegedly being duped by a scammer posing as a traditional healer.
Tangkak OCPD Supt Roslan Mohd Talib said police received a report on Thursday (Jan 29) from the victim, who claimed she had been deceived into handing over cash and jewellery to a suspect offering traditional healing services.
He said the suspect allegedly performed a fortune-telling ritual and told the victim that she would face misfortune in the near future.
“To avert the impending bad luck, the suspect instructed the victim to hand over cash and her jewellery for a ritual meant to ward off the misfortune.
“Believing the claims, the victim withdrew RM90,000 in savings and handed over jewellery estimated to be worth RM8,000,” he said on Friday (Jan 30).
Supt Roslan said the suspect then entered a silver Perodua Axia, took out a black plastic bag and instructed the victim to place the cash and jewellery inside the bag to be ‘blessed’.
“After the ritual, the suspect returned the plastic bag to the victim and instructed her not to open it for a month.
“However, three days later, the victim opened the bag and discovered that the cash and jewellery were missing. They had been replaced with instant noodles, several packets of fine salt and two bottles of mineral water,” he said.
The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating, which carries a punishment of up to 10 years’ jail, whipping and a fine upon conviction.
Supt Roslan advised the public to remain vigilant around unknown individuals, especially in matters involving cash or jewellery, to avoid becoming victims of such scams.
