MUAR: A government pensioner claims she lost RM183,100 in a love scam after befriending two individuals via Facebook Messenger at the end of April.
Muar OCPD Asst Comm Raiz Mukhliz Azman Aziz said one of the impostors claimed to be a corporate figure and the other, a doctor working overseas.
"After establishing a relationship with her, the suspects allegedly took advantage of the victim’s trust by claiming to need financial assistance," he said in a statement on Thursday (July 9).
ACP Raiz Mukhliz said the financial help was purportedly for legal fees related to a construction contract and the release of a US$85,000 cheque to be donated to a doctor’s association.
"The 70-year-old victim was also promised a sum of money once the matters were resolved," he added.
ACP Raiz Mukhliz said the victim made eight transactions amounting to RM183,100 from her own savings into several local bank accounts between June 29 and Wednesday (July 8).
He added that the victim realised she had been conned when the suspects demanded more money after she completed the transactions, and lodged a police report.
The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.
ACP Raiz Mukhliz reminded the public to be alert and careful in matters involving financial transactions especially when dealing with unknown persons.
They an also can go to the Semak Mule portal, call the CCID Scam Response Centre at 03-26101559 or 03-26101599, or check the @jsjkpdrm and @cybercrimealertrmp pages on Facebook.
Scam victims are advised to call the National Scam Response Centre at 997 to report their cases.
