Latest news with #HeritageAssetBankOman
The Star
a day ago
- The Star
Woman loses more than RM2.33mil in elaborate love scam
GEORGE TOWN: A factory programme manager lost more than RM2.33mil after falling victim to a love scam. Penang acting police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin said the 53-year-old victim was introduced to the man by her aunt in February last year. Her aunt met the man known as Perry Chan, who claimed to be a Singaporean residing in Ottawa, Canada, at a seminar in Kuala Lumpur and intended to matchmake him with the victim. 'The victim only communicated with the suspect via WhatsApp,' he said in a statement yesterday, Bernama reported. DCP Mohd Alwi said in March 2024, the suspect told the victim he was running an electric grip installation business with the Oman government. 'The suspect sought the victim's help to transfer funds for the purchase of raw materials for his project, claiming Internet access in Oman was unstable. 'The victim assisted by accessing the man's account and making transfers as instructed, before receiving a call informing her that the transfers had failed as they involved different countries. 'The man then asked the victim to make advance payments for bank service charges, promising to reimburse her,' he added. From March 28 to Aug 18 last year, the victim made 58 transactions amounting to RM1.936mil into nine local bank accounts. In September, the suspect told her that he had deposited a US$404,500 (RM1.72mil) cheque into a Heritage Asset Bank Oman account to repay her. She was later contacted by a 'bank customer service officer' in Malaysia, who said she needed to make payments to cash the cheque. From Sept 25 last year to July 4 this year, the victim made another 13 transactions totalling RM399,407 into five local bank accounts as payment for cashing the cheque.
The Sun
2 days ago
- The Sun
Love scam cons Penang woman out of RM2.33 million via WhatsApp
GEORGE TOWN: A factory programme manager was deceived into losing RM2.33 million in a love scam involving a man posing as a Singaporean businessman. Penang Acting Police Chief Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin confirmed the 53-year-old victim met the suspect through her aunt in February 2023. The victim was introduced to the suspect, known as Perry Chan, who claimed to reside in Ottawa, Canada. All communication between the pair occurred exclusively via WhatsApp, with no face-to-face meetings. In March 2024, the suspect claimed to operate an electric grip installation business with the Oman government. He convinced the victim to transfer funds for raw materials, citing unstable internet access in Oman. The victim accessed his account and made transfers, only to later learn the transactions failed due to cross-border issues. The suspect then requested advance payments for bank charges, promising full reimbursement. Between March 28 and August 18, 2024, the victim transferred RM1.936 million into nine local bank accounts. In September 2024, the suspect allegedly deposited a US$404,500 cheque into a fake Heritage Asset Bank Oman account. A supposed bank officer then demanded additional payments to release the funds. From September 25, 2024, to July 4, 2025, the victim paid RM399,407 across five more accounts. Mohd Alwi stated investigations are ongoing to track the suspect and recover the lost funds. Police urge the public to verify online relationships before sending money. - Bernama
The Star
2 days ago
- The Star
RM2.34mil gone when woman makes 71 transfers to ‘lover' she never met
GEORGE TOWN: A woman made 71 bank transfers over 15 months, totalling RM2.34mil after being introduced to a man by her aunt. Penang acting police chief Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin said the 53-year-old programming manager at a factory in Bayan Lepas lodged a report on July 8. He said the victim's aunt introduced the victim to a man who claimed to be a Singaporean named Perry Chen, living in Ottawa, Canada. 'The suspect met the victim's aunt during a seminar in Kuala Lumpur. Throughout their acquaintance, the victim and suspect only communicated via WhatsApp. 'In March 2024, the suspect claimed he was involved in an electrical grid installation project with the Oman government and sought her help to transfer money for raw materials, saying Internet access in Oman was unstable,' he said in a statement. Mohd Alwi said on Friday (Aug 8) that the victim then made transfers as instructed, but was told the transactions failed because they involved different countries. The suspect then asked her to pay bank service charges first, promising to reimburse her. 'She made 58 transfers between March 28 and Aug 18, 2024, totalling RM1.94mil, to nine local bank accounts given by the suspect,' he said. Mohd Alwi then added that in September 2024, the suspect told her he had deposited a cheque for US$404,500 into Heritage Asset Bank Oman to repay her. 'She was later contacted by someone claiming to be a Malaysian branch bank officer, who told her she needed to pay bank charges before the cheque could be cleared,' he said. Between Sept 25, 2024, and July 4 this year, she made another 13 transfers, amounting to RM399,407. She realised she had been duped when the suspect's explanations no longer made sense. The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating. Mohd Alwi advised the public to be wary of scammers using fake relationships for financial gain. He said such scams cause financial losses and emotional trauma and urged people not to share personal or financial details with online acquaintances, especially if they ask for money or gifts. Mohd Alwi also advised using reverse image searches to verify photos. 'Do not keep online relationships a secret; share them with family or friends for advice,' he added. He called on the public to help combat online scams by sharing information on the latest modus operandi.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- New Straits Times
Aunt's matchmaking costs woman RM2.3 million in online love scam
GEORGE TOWN: A 53-year-old woman has lost more than RM2.3 million in an online love scam after being deceived by a man posing as a Singaporean businessman based in Canada, introduced to her by her aunt. Acting state police chief Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin said the victim's ordeal began in February last year, when her aunt introduced her to the man. According to a police report lodged by the victim, Alwi said the woman's aunt had met the suspect at a seminar in Kuala Lumpur and had intended to matchmake the two. He said that throughout the relationship, the victim only communicated with the suspect via WhatsApp. "In March last year, the suspect claimed he was involved in an electric grid installation project in Oman and needed assistance in transferring funds to purchase raw materials. "He cited unstable internet access in Oman as the reason for seeking help. "Believing she was in a genuine relationship, the victim agreed to help and accessed the suspect's account to make the transactions. "She was later contacted by someone claiming the transfer had failed due to cross-border issues, and was told she needed to pay additional banking service charges, with promises of reimbursement," he said in a statement today. Between March 28 and Aug 18 last year, Alwi said, the victim made 58 transactions amounting to RM1,936,818.67 to nine different local bank accounts provided by the suspect. In September last year, the suspect told the victim that he had deposited a US$404,500 cheque into "Heritage Asset Bank Oman" to repay her. She was then contacted by someone posing as a customer service officer from the bank's "Malaysian branch," who claimed she needed to pay banking charges to cash the cheque. "From Sept 25 last year to July 4 this year, the victim made another 13 transactions totalling RM399,407 to five local bank accounts. "The victim only realised she had been scammed when the excuses became increasingly unreasonable and she suffered significant financial losses," he added. The victim lodged a police report on July 8.
