Engineer loses over RM300,000 in phone scam

The Star

4 hours ago

GEORGE TOWN: An engineer here has lost more than RM300,000 after falling victim to a phone scam.
Penang police chief Comm Datuk Hamzah Ahmad said the 35-year-old woman, who works at a factory in Bayan Lepas, was contacted on March 25 by a man claiming to be a representative of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
"The suspect said the victim's phone number was involved in 33 police reports related to criminal activities," he said in a statement on Tuesday (June 17)
Comm Hamzah said the call was then transferred to the "Sarawak police contingent headquarters" and the victim then spoke to another suspect claiming to be a police officer.
He said the "officer" told her she had been implicated in a money laundering case and would have to surrender all her money while an investigation was conducted.
The suspect also assured the victim that the money would be returned after the investigation, threatening her with arrest if she failed to comply.
Comm Hamzah said that out of fear, the victim made online transfers and cash deposits totalling RM336,760 to 14 bank accounts from March 25 to June 9.
"The victim realised she had been deceived when the suspect continued to demand additional payments even though her savings were depleted," he said.
The victim then lodged a report at Balik Pulau police headquarters.
The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.