A PhD student at a local university lost close to RM850,000 after falling victim to a sophisticated phone scam in which fraudsters posed as Chinese law enforcement officers investigating alleged cybercrime.
Penang Police Chief Datuk Azizee Ismail said the victim, a 29-year-old Chinese national, was contacted on 4 August by a man claiming to be an officer from the Shanghai Public Security Bureau.
According to the police statement, the caller informed the victim that a parcel bearing his name — allegedly containing an identity card, credit card, and chequebook — had been intercepted by Shanghai police. The package was said to have been sent from Malaysia to China.
“The call was then transferred to another individual, who posed as an officer from the Hong An Public Security Bureau in China,” said Azizee. “The suspect claimed that the victim’s bank account was under investigation for involvement in online fraud activities in China.”
The victim was subsequently instructed to transfer funds to a series of bank and e-wallet accounts purportedly for the purpose of an official investigation.
Between 6 and 26 August, the victim made 30 separate transactions amounting to RM847,843.62 across 11 local bank accounts and three cryptocurrency wallets.
The scam only came to light after the student discussed the matter with a classmate, who urged him to report it. A police report was filed at the Northeast District Police Headquarters on 28 August.
The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating. Azizee cautioned the public to remain vigilant against suspicious calls and to avoid falling prey to such syndicates. - August 30, 2025
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