Malaysia

Scammed: woman loses more than RM1 mil to ‘engineer boyfriend’ in London

Victim, in her fifties, says man asked for financial help for work project, promised he would visit her

Updated 2 years ago · Published on 01 Aug 2023 4:14PM

Scammed: woman loses more than RM1 mil to ‘engineer boyfriend’ in London
After getting to know each other via Facebook, the woman says the man, allegedly based in London, communicated with her via WhatsApp. – Pixabay pic, August 1, 2023

by Stephen Then

MIRI – A woman in Sibu has claimed that she was cheated out of RM1.06 million by a man she befriended via social media who is apparently working as an engineer in London.

The woman, in her fifties, who works in a private company in Sibu lodged a police report against her alleged London-based Chinese boyfriend after realising she was duped, said Sarawak deputy police commissioner Datuk Mancha Ata.

The woman in her police report said she got to know the man via Facebook in the middle of last year.

After getting to know each other via Facebook, the woman said the man, allegedly based in London, communicated with her via WhatsApp.

The man then started asking her for money, saying that he needed financial help for a work project.

The woman said the man promised her he would come to visit her in September 2022.

The woman said in August last year, she transferred RM395,000 to him via several online bank payments.

“After that, she got a call from someone who claimed to be a Customs Department officer telling her that her ‘boyfriend’ had been arrested in Thailand for carrying excessive cash.

“The woman said she was instructed to pay RM225,000 from September to October last year to free her ‘boyfriend’ so he could come to visit her in Sarawak.

“The woman said she had later transferred another RM424,000 to her ‘boyfriend’ who asked for the money for travelling and other work-related expenses.

“The woman said that until now, the ‘boyfriend’ has failed to show up in Sarawak”. – The Vibes, August 1, 2023

Related News

Malaysia / 1mth

Indians in Malaysia less likely to fall for scams, says police

Malaysia / 2mth

Malaysia scam losses rise to RM2.7b in 2025, spike during festive seasons

Malaysia / 4mth

Beware of online scams ahead of Chinese New Year – Fahmi

Malaysia / 5mth

Penang CM expresses concern over growing number of cybercrimes

Community / 7mth

Penang top cop takes aim at growing number of online scams

Malaysia / 7mth

Online love scams, false investments top list of commercial crimes this year

Spotlight

Malaysia

Bersatu-PH tie-up a possibility as coalition seeks Malay support, analyst says

By Alfian Z.M. Tahir

Malaysia

Woman molested on her way home from work (video)

Malaysia

Court allows Daim's daughter to permanently keep passport

Malaysia

Santiago pokes holes in data centre hype, asks: Who really benefits?

By Alfian Z.M. Tahir

Malaysia

Jeweller vows to pursue Rosmah until ‘every penny’ is recovered as RM67.5m battle enters enforcement phase

Malaysia

Ambulance carrying two injured men crashes en route to hospital after MPV collision in Besut

Malaysia

Man blames 'lack of love' for sexual assault on teens

Business

BNM's OPR to stay at 2.75 pcent in 2026 amid strong domestic demand - Kenanga IB

Malaysia

Missing jewellery: Rosmah ordered to pay RM67.5 million

You may be interested

Malaysia

Fatal road accidents claim at least 16 lives in little more than a week

Malaysia

Simpang Renggam tragedy: Teenager released on police bail

Malaysia

Police rule out bullying, schoolgirl’s fall from building in Pontian under investigation

Malaysia

Police press ahead with probe despite TikToker’s public apology over Tok Batin claims

Malaysia

Undangs accused of clinging to power as directive raises questions over legitimacy

Malaysia

Isa Samad's 'Tan Sri' title revoked

Malaysia

Scam fight enters new phase as police back MyDigital ID to combat rising online fraud

Malaysia

MACC - MOF deepen alliance to pursue high-profile graft cases and asset recovery