Malaysia

University student loses over RM56,000 in Telegram 'love scam'

The victim was promised intimacy in exchange for money and repeatedly requested payments over nearly two months

Updated 5 hours ago · Published on 17 Jul 2026 10:14AM

University student loses over RM56,000 in Telegram 'love scam'
A 22-year-old public university student loses more than RM56,000 after allegedly falling victim to a 'love scam' orchestrated by a woman he met on Telegram - July 17, 2026

A 22-YEAR-OLD public university student has lost more than RM56,000 after allegedly being duped by a woman he met through the Telegram messaging application in an online 'love scam'.

Kuala Terengganu police chief Assistant Commissioner Azli Mohd Noor said the victim lodged a police report on Thursday afternoon after realising he had been deceived.

He said the victim became acquainted with a woman identifying herself as "Maria Adibah Abd Aziz" on Telegram on May 11.

According to Azli, the suspect claimed to be employed by an online marketing company in Kuala Lumpur and later asked the victim to lend her money, allegedly to make payments required by her employer.

The suspect also allegedly offered to expose her private parts and engage in an intimate relationship with the victim if he transferred money to her.

Believing the claims, the victim carried out about 45 transactions between May 11 and July 4 using his RHB Bank account, Bank Islam account and MAE Wallet.

The payments, amounting to a total of RM56,375, were made by scanning QR codes linked to accounts provided by the suspect.

Azli said the victim never met the suspect in person and communicated solely through messages on Telegram.

"The suspect continued asking for money until the victim eventually became suspicious that he had been scammed and decided to lodge a police report," he said.

The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating. - July 17, 2026

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