Scammed, then threatened: Kuching housewife loses RM4,500 to fraudsters posing as police

Milton Foo (file pic)

By Wilfred Pilo

KUCHING, June 6: A young housewife suffered losses amounting to RM4,500 after falling victim to a scam, with the perpetrators allegedly threatening her when she sought to report the incident to authorities.

According to Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Public Complaint Bureau (SPCB) chief, Milton Foo, the victim was allegedly contacted by the perpetrators, claiming to be police officers from Bukit Aman, who falsely accused her of spreading fake news.

Speaking during a press conference at the SUPP headquarters here today, he said that the perpetrators instructed the victim to provide her personal details and ordered her to report to them four times daily for several days.

Foo explained that the perpetrators instructed the victim to transfer RM4,500 under the pretext of an investigation, in which she first transferred RM3,000.

“After confirming the initial payment, the perpetrators told the victim she had been cleared of the original accusation.

“However, the perpetrators claimed that further investigations had linked her to an individual in a criminal syndicate wanted by the police for money laundering.”

Foo explained that when the victim requested a formal police investigation, she was asked to pay RM1,500, which she transferred, and the perpetrators assured the victim she would receive a full refund once the investigation cleared her of any wrongdoing.

“Despite giving the assurances that the victim was no longer suspected of involvement with the criminal syndicate, the transferred funds were never returned,” he said.

Foo said that when the victim threatened to report the incident to the local authorities, the perpetrators intimidated her by claiming they had obtained her personal details and home address, warning that the criminal syndicate would harm her and her family if she sought help.

“Fearing for the safety of herself and her family, the victim sought assistance from the SPCB and subsequently filed a formal police report,” he said.

Meanwhile, Foo reminded the public to exercise greater caution and verify the authenticity of any suspicious callers by contacting or visiting relevant authorities in person to prevent further financial loss and psychological distress.

For any SPCB-related inquiries, the public may contact the bureau at 082-246999. — DayakDaily