QuickCheck: Did an undergrad lose nearly RM190,000 to a phone scam syndicate?

The Star

a day ago

THE use of eWallets is on the rise with many embracing these mobile applications for convenience and to avoid carrying around large sums of cash.
However, as the popularity of eWallets continues to grow, avenues for scams are also increasing.
A university student in Kuala Terengganu is reported to have become a victim to such a scam, after being told she was involved in money-laundering and drug-trafficking.
Is it true that a university student was cheated out of nearly RM190,000 by a phone scam syndicate?
VERDICT:
TRUE
Kuala Terengganu OCPD Asst Comm Azli Mohd Noor confirmed the incident, telling Bernama that the female student at a public university had lost RM187,800 after being conned by a phone scam syndicate posing as a Touch'nGo representative.
He said that on Aug 4, the 26-year-old victim received a call from a suspect claiming she had misused the application and was involved in money laundering and drug trafficking.
He said the suspect then instructed the victim to make several payments via bank transfers for investigation purposes and to clear her name.
"The panicked and frightened victim made eight payments to six different accounts between Aug 4 and 9 using her own savings and money from her parents' account, which she took without their knowledge.
"In addition, the victim also handed over three bracelets, five rings and a pendant belonging to her and her mother to a female suspect by the roadside at Pantai Penarik, Setiu, on Aug 9," he said in a statement Tuesday (Aug 12).
ACP Azli said the victim, upon realising she had been cheated, lodged a police report at 9.43pm Monday (Aug 11).
However, the victim could not identify or provide a detailed description of the female suspect she met, as the individual was wearing a face mask.
"I urge the public not to be gullible and to instead use the 'Semak Mule' application to verify the phone numbers and bank accounts provided by suspects.
"They can also contact the National Scam Response Centre hotline at 997 to obtain verification before making any transfers to third-party accounts," he added. - Bernama