A 73-YEAR-OLD visually impaired retiree from Kuala Terengganu has lost more than RM430,000 after falling victim to a sophisticated phone scam that tricked him into transferring his life savings under the pretext of a police investigation.
Kuala Terengganu District Police Chief Assistant Commissioner Azli Mohd Noor said the victim lodged a report at the Kuala Terengganu police station at 1.58pm yesterday, after realising he had been duped.
According to Azli, the incident began on 24 June when the pensioner received a call around 3pm from an unknown individual claiming to be from an insurance company. The caller informed him of a purported medical claim submitted at a hospital in Damansara, Kuala Lumpur, under the victim’s name.
“The victim denied ever making such a claim, but the syndicate insisted he lodge a police report, suggesting someone had used his identity without authorisation,” Azli said.
The call was then allegedly transferred to another individual who claimed to be a police officer. The victim was convinced to make a police report online, after which he was told that his name was linked to a money laundering case.
He was instructed to open a new bank account and deposit all his savings into it for ‘investigation purposes’ to verify whether the funds and his assets were from legal sources.
“Believing the scam, and due to his poor health and impaired vision, the victim asked his wife to open a new bank account,” Azli said. “All of his savings, as well as his wife’s, were deposited into this new account.”
The victim was also told not to use the newly opened account in the near future to ensure the ‘investigation’ would not be compromised.
It wasn’t until 25 September, when the victim finally informed his son of the situation, that the family realised it was a scam.
Subsequent checks of the account revealed several transactions had taken place between 6 July and 14 August, totalling RM431,742, all transferred to unknown individuals.
“Only then did the victim suspect he had been deceived,” Azli said. “The funds were drawn from both his and his wife’s personal savings.”
The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating, which carries a maximum jail term of 10 years, whipping, and a fine upon conviction.
Police have urged the public to remain vigilant and to verify any suspicious calls with relevant authorities, particularly when personal or financial information is requested. - October 5, 2025
