Scammers posing as govt officials fleece Kuching woman of RM92,100

KUCHING (Dec 10): A 61-year-old woman here lost RM92,100 after she was duped by phone scam syndicate members posing as government officials.

Kuching police chief ACP Alexson Naga Chabu said the victim was at home on Nov 3 when she received a call from an unknown individual claiming to be from the Customs Department.

“The caller told her that a shipment worth RM7 million allegedly belonging to her had been seized in Kuala Lumpur.

“The call was then transferred to another individual, who introduced herself as ‘Puan Lydia’ from the Anti-Money Laundering (AMLA) division,” he said in a statement.

He said the victim was instructed to transfer money for a supposed Bank Negara Malaysia investigation into three different bank accounts, involving 19 transactions amounting to RM92,100.

The victim only realised she had been cheated when the suspect demanded additional payments to “settle the case”.

Alexson said from Jan 1 to Dec 9 this year, the district’s Commercial Crime Investigation Department recorded 98 cases involving similar modus operandi, with total losses of RM6,960,575.50, including this latest case.

The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating and dishonestly inducing the delivery of property, which carries imprisonment of one to 10 years, caning, and a possible fine.

Members of the public are advised not to panic when receiving suspicious calls and to immediately terminate such calls.

They also reminded the public not to reveal personal or banking details to unknown individuals, and to verify claims by contacting the nearest police station.

Suspicious bank accounts or phone numbers can be checked via the Semak Mule portal at semakmule.rmp.gov.my.

Enquiries or reports can be made through the Sarawak CCID Hotline on 011-62890089 or via email at [email protected], or by calling the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) on 997 (24 hour).