By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Nov 4: A 69-year-old local man lost RM1.44 million after falling victim to a phone scam involving a suspect posing as a prosecutor from Putrajaya.
Kuching District Police Chief ACP Alexson Naga Chabu said the victim received a WhatsApp call from an unknown number on Aug 25, while at home.
The caller allegedly identified himself as a prosecutor from Putrajaya and told the victim that an arrest warrant had been issued against him and his bank accounts would be frozen over alleged money laundering offences.
The victim was then instructed to open an Alliance Bank account and register the suspect’s phone number, after which, he was told to transfer RM1.41 million into the newly opened account for further investigation purposes.
Alexson said the suspect later made 26 transactions, transferring RM1,353,355 from the account into the suspect’s bank accounts. The victim was also instructed to make an additional RM90,000 payment directly into the suspect’s bank account, bringing his total losses to RM1,443,355.
The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating and dishonestly inducing the delivery of property, an offence punishable by imprisonment of between one and 10 years, whipping and a possible fine upon conviction.
Alexson advised the public not to panic when receiving suspicious calls and to terminate such calls immediately.
He also reminded the public not to disclose personal or banking information to unknown callers and to contact the nearest police station for verification or to lodge a report.
Members of the public can also check suspicious bank account numbers and phone numbers through the police’s Semak Mule portal at https://semakmule.rmp.gov.my.
Anyone who encounters suspicious activities is urged to contact the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) hotline at 997 or the Sarawak Commercial Crime Investigation Department via WhatsApp or phone at 011-62890089, or email kjsjkswk@rmp.gov.my. – DayakDaily
