Ipoh senior citizen loses RM158,000 in phone scam
District police chief Assistant Commissioner Abang Zainal Abidin Abang Ahmad said the victim lodged a police report yesterday after realising he had been duped by the scammers.
Abang Zainal Abidin said the victim had made 12 separate transactions into 12 different bank accounts, purportedly as part of a police investigation.
"The victim first received a call from someone claiming to represent an insurance company, alleging that he had outstanding payments.
"The call was then transferred to another individual who claimed to be a policeman from the Petaling Jaya district police headquarters.
"The victim was told he was under investigation for money laundering involving over RM2 million and that an arrest warrant had been issued against him," he said in a statement yesterday.
He added that, in a state of panic, the victim was allegedly threatened and instructed to transfer funds, purportedly for bail and to facilitate an internal investigation.
"This is a typical modus operandi used by scam syndicates, instilling fear and urgency in the victim before coercing them into transferring money under the pretence of avoiding legal action," he said.
Following the police report, he said an investigation has been opened under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.
The offence carries a maximum penalty of ten years' jail, whipping, and a fine if convicted.
He added that efforts are ongoing to track down the suspects and the owners of the bank accounts used in the scam.
He also urged the public to be vigilant when receiving unsolicited calls, especially those claiming to be from enforcement agencies or financial institutions.
"We want to remind the public that neither the police nor any financial institution will ever request banking details or ask for payments over the phone under any circumstances," he said.
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