Couple duped by scammer pretending to be friend

New Straits Times

2 days ago

IPOH: What was meant to be a kind gesture turned into a nightmare for a couple in Taman Kledang Suria here after they fell victim to a scammer who impersonated the wife's friend.
District police chief Assistant Commissioner Abang Zainal Abidin Abang Ahmad said investigations revealed that the 67-year-old husband was at home at 1.17pm on Tuesday when he received a call from a number he believed belonged to his wife's friend.
He said the woman on the line claimed she had forgotten her wallet while buying groceries and urgently needed money to pay for the items.
"Moved by what he assumed was a genuine emergency, the victim transferred RM2,500 online to a bank account.
"Minutes later, the same caller claimed the amount was still insufficient and begged for more assistance," he said when contacted today.
Abang Zainal Abidin added that at 3.22pm, the victim's 65-year-old wife deposited another RM3,000 via a cash deposit machine.
"Just 29 minutes later, another RM4,500 was transferred to the same account by the wife.
In total, the couple lost RM10,000, all under the impression they were helping a friend in need," he said.
He said the truth only surfaced when the victim called the actual friend, who denied ever making such a request and the couple then lodged a police report yesterday.
The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.
Abang Zainal Abidin urged the public to remain vigilant, especially when faced with urgent financial requests from unknown or unverified numbers.
"Always verify such requests, even if they appear to come from friends or family. A single phone call for confirmation could prevent a major loss," he said.