MERADONG: A local woman has been arrested after police traced her bank account to a RM10,000 phone scam involving a fraudster who posed as the victim’s friend on WhatsApp.
The suspect, in her 20s, was arrested by the Commercial Crime Investigation Division (CCID) at around 1.30pm yesterday (Aug 12).
Preliminary investigations showed that the victim had received a WhatsApp message from someone claiming to be the victim’s friend and asking to borrow money.
Believing the request was genuine, the victim transferred RM10,000 into the bank account provided.
Meradong police chief DSP Tansli Mering said investigations led to the identification and arrest of the woman, who is suspected of playing the role of an account mule in the scam.
Further checks also found that the woman was allegedly linked to police reports lodged in South Johor Bahru and Penang.
However, background checks showed that she had no prior criminal record.
The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code, which carries imprisonment of up to 10 years, whipping and a fine, upon conviction.
Tansli urged the public to verify any request for money, particularly those received through WhatsApp or other messaging platforms, before making financial transactions to third-party accounts.
Members of the public who fall victim to online scams can contact the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) at 997 or Bintangor Police Station at 084-693222.
