Tragic Loss: Woman Scammed Out of RM415,000 by Fake Policeman

KUCHING: A 69-year-old woman lost RM415,464 after falling victim to a caller impersonating a policeman. She received a phone call on Sept 17 last year from someone who alleged that there was a criminal case against her, said Kuching OCPD Asst Comm Alexson Naga Chabu. “She made six transactions into four different bank accounts to resolve the matter, upon assurance that the money would be returned on Jan 5,” he said. The woman finally realised she had been scammed when the money was not returned to her. She had lodged a police report and the case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating. ACP Alexson advised the public not to panic and to immediately end suspicious phone calls to avoid being scammed. “Do not give any personal and banking information to unknown callers. Suspicious phone and bank account numbers can be checked at the Semak Mule ­portal,” he added. Suspicious activities can also be reported to the National Scam Response Centre 997 hotline or the Sarawak Commercial Crime Investigation Department at 011-6289 0089 or email kjsjkswk@rmp.gov.my.