A LOCAL civil servant has suffered losses of RM150,000 after her personal savings and bank loan funds were stolen in a carefully orchestrated phone scam, authorities confirmed.
Kuala Terengganu District Police Chief, Assistant Commissioner Azli Mohd Noor, said the 43-year-old woman lodged a police report at the Kuala Terengganu Police Station yesterday at approximately 1:42 p.m.
According to Azli, the victim was first contacted by a syndicate posing as an insurance agent who claimed her personal information had been misused.
She was then instructed to make a police report and was transferred to an individual claiming to be a police officer.
“The victim was subsequently told that she was allegedly involved in money laundering activities and would be detained,” he said.
To supposedly clear her name, the victim was instructed to open a new bank account under her name and deposit funds obtained from a bank loan into the account.
Azli explained that while opening the new account, the victim followed instructions provided by the scammer, who is believed to have transferred her money into an unknown account.
“This deceptive tactic resulted in the victim incurring a loss of RM150,000,” he said.
The lost funds consisted of both the victim’s personal savings and borrowed money from a bank. Authorities confirmed that the case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.
Police have urged the public to remain vigilant and verify the identity of callers claiming to be from financial institutions or law enforcement agencies, noting that such scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated and targeted. - January 9, 2025
