Woman loses RM456,000 to phone scam while holidaying at family home in Kuching

KUCHING (Jan 26): A 38-year-old woman lost RM456,000 last month after falling victim to a phone scam.

Kuching police chief ACP Alexson Naga Chabu said the suspects impersonated National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) staff and police.

He said on Dec 5, while the victim was on holiday at her family’s home, she was contacted by a suspect posing as an NSRC staff member using the number 016‑4599918.

She was later connected to another suspect, who claimed to be a police personnel member using the number 011‑12487124.

“The suspect then tricked the victim by alleging that there was a criminal case linked to her name.

“The victim, who was deceived, subsequently made 13 money transfer transactions into three different bank accounts on the pretext of ‘cleaning’ her funds, with the assurance that the money would be returned,” he said in a statement.

Alexson said the victim only realised she had been scammed after checking the official Semak Mule PDRM portal.

She then lodged a police report for further action.

The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code, which carries a prison term of between one year and 10 years, as well as caning and a fine, upon conviction.