KUCHING: A 61-year-old woman lost RM92,100 after falling victim to an online phone scam involving individuals impersonating enforcement officers.
Kuching police chief ACP Alexson Naga Chabu said the victim lodged a report yesterday (Dec 9) after realising she had been deceived by callers claiming to be from the Customs Department and the Anti-Money Laundering unit (AMLA).
He said the scam began on Nov 3 when the woman received a call from an individual alleging that a parcel worth RM7 million belonging to her had been confiscated in Kuala Lumpur.
“The call was later connected to another person who introduced herself as ‘Puan Lydia’ from AMLA.
“The victim was instructed to transfer money for so-called Bank Negara investigation purposes,” he said in a statement.
Believing the instructions were genuine, the victim made 19 transactions into three separate bank accounts, amounting to RM92,100.
“Only when the suspects demanded further payment to ‘settle the case’ did the victim realise she had been scammed,” he added.
Alexson said from Jan 1 to Dec 9 this year, the district’s Commercial Crime Investigation Division opened 98 investigation papers involving similar modus operandi, with total losses recorded at RM6,960,575.
The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating, an offence that carries imprisonment of one to 10 years, whipping, and a fine upon conviction.
Police advised the public not to panic if contacted by unknown callers claiming to be from government agencies and to immediately terminate suspicious calls.
Members of the public should also avoid sharing personal or banking information, verify any claims through the nearest police station, and check suspicious numbers or bank accounts via the Semak Mule portal.
For inquiries or reports, contact the Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) Sarawak Hotline at 011-62890089, email kjsjkswk@rmp.gov.my, or call the 24-hour National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) at 997.
