MUAR: A 54-year-old factory operator lost more than RM100,000 in savings after falling victim to a phone scam involving fraudsters posing as an insurance agent, police officers and a public prosecutor.
Muar OCPD Asst Comm Raiz Mukhliz Azman Aziz said the victim received the first call from the suspects at about 10.59am on Sept 4.
"Preliminary investigations revealed that the victim initially received a call from an individual claiming to be an insurance agent.
"The call was subsequently transferred to several other individuals who allegedly impersonated police officers and a public prosecutor," he said here on Saturday (Oct 31).
ACP Raiz Mukhliz added that the victim was then accused of being involved in money laundering activities and instructed to transfer money supposedly to assist with investigations.
He said the suspects also instructed her to open a new bank account, which she did on Sept 10, and hand over her banking details to them.
"The suspects subsequently took control of the account and used it to facilitate money transfers.
"The victim was also instructed to carry out several transactions, resulting in total losses of RM103,000 from her savings," he added.
ACP Raiz Mukhliz said the case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.
He advised the public not to blindly trust suspicious phone calls or disclose their banking information to unknown individuals, and also reminded the public not to transfer money to anyone claiming that it was necessary to assist with investigations.
ACP Raiz Mukhliz said those who fall victim to financial scams should immediately contact the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) at 997 and lodge a police report.
