BUTTERWORTH – A female civil servant lost RM300,000 after being scammed on Facebook.
Seberang Prai Utara police chief Noorzainy Mohd Noor said last September, the 57-year-old victim met a man, who claimed to be an American citizen working in the oil and gas industry, via the social media platform.
In a statement today, Noorzainy said the victim was serious about getting to know the suspect, and they exchanged phone numbers and continued communicating via WhatsApp.
“A month later, the man told the woman a purported sad story to gain her sympathy.
“The victim, who was sad to hear about his financial problems, agreed to lend him some money.”
He said the victim made several money transfers from mid-October to the end of December, totalling RM300,000.
He added that she believed her money would be returned. However, the suspect made 49 transactions with 14 local banks.
“The man continued to ask the woman for more money, and it was not long before she realised she was scammed and all of her savings lost.
“She lodged a report yesterday.”
Noorzainy said police are investigating the man’s accounts under Section 420 of the Penal Code for fraud. – The Vibes, January 31, 2021
