A RETIRED private-sector employee has lost a staggering RM535,758 after being duped by fraudsters posing as representatives of a company offering her a fake diamond prize.
According to Pahang Police Chief, Datuk Seri Yahaya Othman, the 65-year-old woman from Rompin in Pahang received a phone call on 1 September from an individual claiming she had won second prize in a customer appreciation event.
“The caller told the victim she had won a diamond and was given the option to convert the prize into a RM205,000 cash reward,” said Yahaya in a statement today.
The woman agreed to the offer and was instructed to pay a RM6,150 deposit to claim her winnings. She proceeded to make two transactions into a bank account provided by the fraudster.
Over the following weeks, between 3 September and 9 October, the victim was repeatedly coerced into making further payments under various pretexts.
“In total, the victim made 30 separate transactions into 13 different bank accounts,” said Yahaya. “Only when the promised diamond or cash prize failed to materialise did she realise she had been deceived.”
He added that the losses included the victim’s personal savings as well as funds borrowed from family members.
The incident has prompted police to once again advise the public not to fall prey to promises of extravagant rewards or returns.
“Always be sceptical of unsolicited offers that involve upfront payments,” Yahaya warned. “Before making any transactions, the public is urged to verify bank account details on the official portal at [https://semakmule.rmp.gov.my.”](https://semakmule.rmp.gov.my.”) - October 14, 2025
