A 66-YEAR-OLD private-sector retiree lost more than RM1.417 million after falling victim to a phone scam involving a bogus money-laundering investigation.
Pahang Acting Police Chief Datuk Azry Akmar Ayob said police received a report yesterday from the victim, who received a call from an unknown number on May 19 informing him that he was allegedly involved in money-laundering activities.
The victim was then instructed to open a new bank account and transfer his savings into it purportedly for verification by the authorities.
“After opening the account, a man met the victim at a residential area, where the victim handed over his automated teller machine (ATM) card and PIN to the man.
“All the funds from the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), Amanah Saham Bumiputera (ASB) and Tabung Haji, together with proceeds from the pawning of gold, totalling RM1,417,210, were deposited into the bank account up to Sept 1.
“The victim later discovered that the money in the account had been transferred to six different accounts and withdrawn from ATMs without his knowledge,” he said in a statement today.
Azry said the victim realised he had been duped and lodged a police report.
The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.
Azry advised members of the public to seek advice from the police before taking action in response to suspicious calls or instructions, to avoid falling victim to scams.
“Members of the public are also advised to check bank account numbers through the Semak Mule website before making any transactions and contact the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) at 997,” he added. - September 2, 2026
