Manhunt underway after disabled reports loss of RM124,000

PADAWAN: Police are pursuing a local man suspected of cheating a disabled man and siphoning RM124,000 from his bank account without his knowledge.

According to Padawan police chief Supt Mohd Irwan Hafiz Md Radzi, the 55-year-old victim lodged a report on March 28 after discovering the funds missing from his account, believed to have been taken by the suspect.

“The victim disclosed that on Feb 19, the suspect accompanied him to a bank in Kota Sentosa to withdraw an undisclosed sum of money from his account.

“Efforts are currently underway to locate the suspect to assist with ongoing investigation,” he said.

Those with any information regarding the suspect are urged to contact Padawan Commercial Crime Investigation Division (CCID) chief ASP Prisca at 019-8897640.

The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating and dishonestly inducing the delivery of property.

Meanwhile, a Facebook post by the victim went viral online as he alleged that his savings totalling RM124,719.33 had vanished from his bank account, including funds from his disabled son’s account, who has Down’s syndrome.

He suspected the money was embezzled by the suspect, who is his brother-in-law.

According to the victim, who became disabled following an accident in early 2020, the suspect illicitly withdrew RM36,719 from his son’s BSN savings account on May 9, 2023.

Furthermore, on Feb 19 and 28 this year, he claimed that the suspect withdrew RM88,000 from his Public Bank account through counter transactions.

“The suspect accompanied me to Kuching Rehab Clinic, where he suggested I withdraw money using my identity card. At the counter, I was instructed to scan my finger.

“Afterward, he persuaded me to return to the car as he claimed that I was uncomfortable sitting and standing in the bank. Unbeknownst to me, he withdrew RM40,000 instead of the intended RM2,000. He then handed me RM2,000 and pocketed the remaining RM38,000,” he recounted, adding that he realised he had been cheated by the suspect a week later.

The victim expressed trust in the suspect, as he and his wife relied on him to escort them to appointments at Sarawak General Hospital (SGH), including accompanying their special needs son to PPDK, under the assumption of genuine assistance.

The victim said that the money was from his insurance and EPF, as well as aid provided to him.