A SENIOR manager at a private company in Georgetown has reportedly lost RM2.54 million after falling victim to a sophisticated telephone scam in which fraudsters impersonated cybersecurity officers and police personnel, authorities confirmed.
Penang Police Chief Datuk Azizee Ismail stated that the 54-year-old man lodged a report with the Commercial Crime Investigation Division at the Northeast District Police Headquarters last Sunday, after realising he had been deceived.
“On 21 February, while at his home in Georgetown, the victim received a call from a man claiming to be a cybersecurity officer, alleging that 16 complaints had been filed against the victim’s phone number for involvement in investment fraud and the dissemination of false information,” Azizee said in a statement.
When the victim denied the allegations, he was instructed to lodge an online police report, which was purportedly connected to an officer from Bukit Aman. The caller then accused him of money laundering and drug distribution.
The impersonator, posing as a police officer, warned that an arrest warrant had been issued and insisted that the victim follow all instructions to avoid detention.
“The suspect subsequently instructed the victim to open three separate bank accounts and place the associated ATM cards and PINs in an envelope under a flowerpot outside his home. The suspect assured him that the funds and cards would be returned after the investigation concluded,” Datuk Azizee explained.
Between 4 March and 22 September, the victim transferred money a total of twelve times into the newly opened accounts. Additional payments were requested, but by 13 December, the man had exhausted his funds.
Police confirmed that investigations are ongoing to track the syndicate behind the scam. The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for criminal breach of trust and fraud. -December 16, 2025
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