SIBU: A trader in his 60s has lost RM190,800 after falling victim to an online currency exchange scam.
Sibu police chief ACP Azari Miskon said the victim lodged a report after realising he had been deceived in a transaction involving Malaysian Ringgit and Hong Kong Dollar.
The incident began in March when the victim’s son, who works in Papua New Guinea, sought his help to transfer money to several local bank accounts for a purported currency exchange deal.
“The son had earlier been contacted via WhatsApp by an individual identifying himself as “David”, who offered a higher-than-market exchange rate.
“On April 2, the victim agreed to assist and made several transfers to the accounts provided by the suspect,” he said in a statement.
However, checks with his son’s contact in Hong Kong later revealed that the money had not been received as promised.
Azari said the victim realised he had been scammed after the suspect became uncontactable and subsequently lodged a police report.
The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code.
