KUCHING, May 21: Bank officers or the police will not call someone to transfer money to specific accounts to settle a case.
Padungan assemblyman Wong King Wei said this sort of scam which has been rampant as of late has also increased in complexity to make it appear more convincing.
Speaking at a press conference at the Democratic Action Party (DAP) headquarters here this morning, he, along with a victim of such a scam, said the bank, police or even the court would not call people to transfer money to specific accounts to settle cases.
“There is no such procedure. No department be it Bank Negara or the police will call you asking to pay money or transfer to a specific account. Even lawyers or the court also don’t do that. If there is a summon, it would be served to you as a proper letter.
“I will write to the Kuching District police chief for a meeting to follow up on this case and to discuss not only this case but also cheating cases in general,” said Wong.
Earlier, the phone scam victim who only wanted to be known as Ms Phua highlighted her case to reporters.
According to her police report, she received a call from an alleged Public Bank officer on May 7, telling her that her credit card had been used at a shopping mall in Johor for the amount of RM7,080.
She said the bank officer offered a solution, saying that she should withdraw all her money from her fixed deposit account and open a new account at CIMB Bank.
Ms Phua said she was told to deposit her money amounting to RM11,000 into a couple of CIMB accounts numbered 201610051646 and 00811818. During the deposit session at a local ATM however, the name Yeo Chang Sou popped up as the accounts holder. She deposited her money anyway.
She was then told to go to the Kuching District police headquarters at Simpang Tiga an meet an investigation officer named Ridzuan to clear her debt from the credit card transaction which allegedly happened in Johor.
Wong, assisting Ms Phua to translate, said till now she had not received any more calls from the perpetrator. Even when she tried calling the so-called bank officer it seemed her number was blocked, he added.
“The manner and nature of this sort of cheating cases are also increasing by making it more complex so that it would sound convincing. At the end of the day they just want the money.
“I urge the public not to fall prey to these scammers,” said Wong. — DayakDaily
