A 73-YEAR-OLD housewife from Kuala Terengganu lost RM80,000 from her savings after being duped by scammers offering “mystical money” through Facebook and allegedly demanding repeated payments before claiming the funds could be released.
Kuala Terengganu district police chief Assistant Commissioner Azli Mohd Noor said the victim lodged a police report at about 4.17pm yesterday.
He said the scam began last year when the victim became interested in an online offer for “mystical money” on Facebook.
She subsequently contacted an individual using the name “Ustaz Nasihin” via WhatsApp through a telephone number provided to her.
“The individual offered ‘mystical money’ which was supposedly intended to help repair the victim’s house, settle debts and make donations to orphans.
“To obtain the assistance, the victim was required to make advance payments according to the amount instructed,” he said.
Azli said the individual later told the victim that the money had been deposited into her account.
However, checks by the victim showed that no money had been credited as promised.
He said that on Sept 24, the victim was contacted by another individual who introduced himself as “Vee Hong” and claimed to be holding the money.
“Vee Hong told the victim that the money could be collected, but she first had to make a RM50,000 payment as a penalty because the money had not been collected on time.
“The victim then contacted ‘Ustaz Nasihin’ for an explanation and was told that she had been detained and fined RM50,000.
“The individual asked the victim to make the payment and promised that the money would be refunded,” he said.
Azli said the victim, having been deceived, made 13 transactions into a bank account totalling RM80,000.
He said all the money came from the victim’s savings.
The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating. - September 26, 2026