KUANTAN: A university student lost RM32,115 after being tricked into handing over cash and jewellery worth more than RM32,000 to scammers.
Acting Bentong police chief Deputy Supt Azmi Mahmod said the 18-year-old male victim handed over the cash and valuables to a woman near a supermarket in Karak, Bentong.
He said the incident unfolded on Oct 7 when the victim received a phone call from someone claiming to be a police officer who told the student he was involved in a money laundering case.
"The suspect threatened to arrest the victim if he did not follow instructions. In a panic, he handed over cash and jewellery belonging to his parents to settle the case," he said in a statement on Monday (Oct 12).
DSP Azmi said they conducted an operation and arrested a 21-year-old local woman at about 6.20pm on Saturday (Oct 10) near the supermarket.
"Investigations revealed the female suspect was employed by the syndicate, who told her she has been appointed to be part of the 'police special action unit'.
"She was directed to collect the cash and jewellery from the victim before handing them to a third party," he said.
He said investigations are ongoing to determine the suspect's role and to identify others involved.
Meanwhile, Bera police chief Supt Zulkiflee Nazir said they received a report from a retired engineer after he lost RM660,000 in a fraudulent stock investment scheme.
He said the scam unfolded on Feb 5, when the 56-year-old man communicated with an unknown individual via WhatsApp who offered a stock investment scheme starting at RM10,000 with a promised 10% return.
"Believing the offer, the victim invested RM660,000 in seven transactions into three bank accounts under different company names.
"The victim received no returns as promised and realised he had been scammed when he was repeatedly asked to deposit more money," he said.
Police are investigating both cases under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating. – Bernama
