BUTTERWORTH – Despite numerous warnings for years by police and the relevant authorities, the public continues to fall prey to the sweet words of fraudsters on social media, losing their life savings in the process.
In the latest incident, a 35-year-old woman working at a logistics company here reported losing RM64,207 to a man she befriended through social media app Instagram.
Seberang Prai Utara district police chief Noorzainy Mohd Noor said the woman and the man exchanged telephone numbers and continued their conversations on WhatsApp.
“After befriending the man for a month, the woman lost her savings in a parcel scam.
“The man told the woman that he had sent a courier with a gift to mark of their friendship, without stating what the gift was.
“Several days later, she received an email believed to be from a foreign courier company wanting her to verify her identity and address.
“Later, a man claiming to be a courier agent called the woman and told her there was a parcel in her name, but that she needed to pay a processing fee to claim it. She then banked in the cash to the account number given to her,” he said.
Noorzainy said she made five transactions to transfer the money.
Noorzainy advised the public to check with the relevant government websites to establish the authenticity of companies involved and their identities.
The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for fraud, which carries a maximum of 10 years’ jail, whipping and a fine if convicted. – The Vibes, March 20, 2021
