Retired Teacher Loses RM138,800 in Phone Scam
By Loshinniy Nair S. Baskaran,
25th September 2024: A retired teacher from Kuantan fell victim to a phone scam, resulting in a loss of RM138,800. According to Pahang police chief Datuk Seri Yahaya Othman, the 61-year-old woman received a call from a woman claiming to represent PosLaju in mid-August.
She was told that her name was used for a delivery containing suspicious items. The call was then transferred to a supposed police officer, who accused her of being involved in illegal activities such as drug and money laundering.
To resolve the issue, the victim was instructed to transfer her funds to several bank accounts as part of an investigation. Fearing for her safety and reputation, the retiree followed the scammer’s instructions and made several transactions over three weeks.
The woman only realized she had been duped when she lost communication with the scammer and consulted her family. She immediately reported the incident to the police. The authorities are currently investigating the case under Section 420 of the Penal Code, which deals with cheating and dishonesty.
Datuk Seri Yahaya Othman urged the public to be cautious and vigilant against phone scams, particularly those involving threats or urgent requests for money transfers. He advised individuals to verify any claims by contacting relevant authorities directly and never to disclose personal information over the phone.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the increasing sophistication of scam tactics targeting vulnerable individuals, as stated in Harian Metro.
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