Teacher loses RM890,000 to phone scam
GEORGE TOWN: A teacher lost her savings amounting to RM890,000 after falling victim to a phone scam, believed to have been orchestrated by a syndicate impersonating bank officers and police personnel.
Police received a report from the 59-year-old woman yesterday.
Penang deputy police chief Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin said the victim was duped into transferring her money over a period of more than two weeks.
He said that, according to her report, the incident began on May 10 when she received a phone call at her residence in George Town from an unknown number.
"A man claiming to be a representative from CIMB Bank told her that a credit card under her name had been misused.
"The victim, who denied owning the card, was then transferred to another individual who introduced himself as a police officer from a station in Johor.
"She was accused of being involved in money laundering activities and was told that all her funds needed to be 'audited'.
The caller assured her that the money would be returned upon completion of the investigation.
"She was also threatened with an arrest warrant should she fail to comply," he said in a statement last night.
Fearing legal repercussions, Alwi said the victim made 27 online transfers into 23 different bank accounts from May 19 to June 5, totalling RM890,000.
He said it was only after she confided in a friend that she realised she had been deceived.
She then lodged a police report.
"Investigation is being carried out under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating," he added.
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