KUANTAN: A durian orchard owner lost RM202,460 after being scammed by a non-existent forecast number syndicate.
Acting Pahang police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Azry Akmar Ayob said that on Nov 25 last year, the 63-year-old female victim saw an advertisement on Facebook featuring an individual posing as a monk from a temple in southern Thailand who offered financial fortune-telling services.
"Attracted by the offer, the victim then contacted the first suspect by phone and was informed that she could change her fortune by purchasing Magnum 4D lottery tickets and stand a chance to win the grand prize," he said in a statement on Tuesday (Oct 13).
He said the victim was subsequently instructed to deal with another individual claimed to be an agent in Kelantan for payment purposes, and the woman was also informed that she had won the first-place lottery prize amounting to RM1.2mil.
"To enable the prize money to be released, the victim was asked to make several payments purportedly for bank processing and cross-border money transfer taxes.
"Starting from December 23, 2025, to May 22, 2026, the victim made a total of 12 transactions into six different bank accounts using her own savings as well as proceeds from pawning her jewellery, totalling RM202,460," he said.
Azry Akmar said the victim realised she had been cheated after she failed to receive any of the promised prize money, adding that the case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.
The public is advised not to easily believe offers of lottery wins, forecast numbers, or lucrative prizes received through social media and messaging applications.
"Do not make any payments for 'taxes', 'release fees', 'bank charges', or other fees before checking and verifying with the authorities or relevant agencies," he said.- Bernama
