Retired Teacher Loses Over RM200,000 to Phone Scam

By Subaashinee Kupusamy,

2 OCTOBER: A retired teacher from Johor Bahru fell victim to a phone scam, losing more than RM200,000. The scam began when the victim received a call claiming he was involved in illegal activities, which led him to fear legal repercussions. The caller, posing as a police officer, instructed him to transfer money to “avoid arrest.”

Believing the false narrative, the victim complied and made several transactions over a month. He later reported the incident to the police, highlighting the emotional and financial toll of the scam. Authorities urge the public to remain vigilant against such fraudulent schemes.

In cases of phone scams, victims can take several legal actions. They should report the incident to local authorities and provide as much information as possible. Filing a police report can help initiate an investigation. Additionally, victims may consider contacting their bank to attempt to recover lost funds. In some jurisdictions, consumer protection agencies or the police cybercrime units can provide further assistance. Legal counsel may also be sought for potential civil actions against perpetrators, though this can be challenging due to the anonymity of scammers as stated in FMT.