KUCHING: An architect with a private company here lost RM121,000 after falling victim to a Macau scam syndicate.
According to a Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas) report today, Sarawak police commissioner Dato Mohd Azman Ahmad Sapri said the 35-year-old man received a phone call from a man who introduced himself as Mohd Rizuan from the Langkawi Court on March 1 and said that the victim was involved in a money laundering case.
The victim denied any involvement, and the call was then transferred to another suspect claiming to be ‘Sergeant Farah’ from the Langkawi police station, who offered to help the victim lodge a report denying the allegation.
“However, ‘Sergeant Farah’ said the victim had to make payments for the audit and investigation,” Mohd Azman said in a media statement today.
He added that the victim was contacted by several individuals instructing him to make payments to a number of bank accounts.
He said the victim made 11 transactions totalling RM121,000 to four bank accounts under the names of different individuals from March 1 to April 12.
“The victim only realised that he had been deceived after he was unable to contact the phone numbers,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mohd Azman advised the public to be calm and not panic if they receive phone calls from unknown individuals claiming to be from government departments or agencies, financial institutions, and so on.
He advised the public not to give out any banking or personal information to unknown individuals.
“The public can check the suspect’s telephone number and bank account through Check Scammers CCID or the website http://semakmule.rmp.gov.my before making a financial transaction.
“They can also contact the CCID Scam Response Centre at 03-2610 1559/ 03-2610 1599 and 013-211 1222 (WhatsApp/SMS) or visit the Commercial Crime Investigation Department for advice or information.” — DayakDaily
