A 72-YEAR-OLD woman in Kuching lost RM1.3 million after being tricked into transferring her life savings to scammers in a phone scam that began on 31 July.
Kuching District Police Chief ACP Alexson Naga Chabu said the victim was at home when she received a call from a man claiming to be an officer from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (SKMM), alleging that her phone number was linked to a criminal case.
He said the scammer then connected her to another individual who introduced himself as “Sergeant Tan” from the Terengganu Contingent Police Headquarters.
“The suspect instructed the victim to transfer money for investigative purposes into seven different bank accounts through 14 transactions, amounting to a total of RM1,300,200. The victim realised she had been scammed after being contacted by her husband. As a result, she suffered a loss of RM1,300,200,” he said in a statement.
Alexson added that the Kuching District Commercial Crime Investigation Division has opened 92 investigation files involving the same modus operandi between 1 and 16 November 2025, with total reported losses of RM5,965,575.50, including this case.
“The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property, which carries a prison sentence of not less than one year and not more than 10 years, whipping, and may also include a fine if convicted,” he added. - November 17, 2025
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