KUCHING: A 64-year-old man in Miri lost more than RM1.17mil after falling victim to a love scam on social media platforms.
Miri police chief Asst Comm Mohd Farhan Lee Abdullah said the victim initially received a message via TikTok before continuing communication through WhatsApp.
Initial investigations revealed that the suspect posed as a foreign national, using photos of other individuals and edited personal documents to gain the victim’s trust.
“The suspect claimed to be managing an approved exploration project, but said he was facing issues with his bank account being blocked or hacked.
“He then requested financial assistance from the victim for down payments and project-related costs, promising to repay the money in US dollars,” he said in a statement yesterday, Bernama reported.
ACP Mohd Farhan said the victim, swayed by the suspect’s assurances, carried out 59 transactions to nine different third-party bank accounts, amounting to RM1,173,700.
The scam only came to light after the victim discussed the matter with family members, who advised him to lodge a police report.
The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.
