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SIBU, Aug 1: A Sibu woman in her 50s lost approximately RM1.06 million through 64 transactions to a love scam.
According to a press release from Sarawak deputy police commissioner Datuk Mancha Ata, the victim, who works as a clerk for a company in Sibu, met the suspect known as Thomas Yeng Leong through Facebook in mid-2022 and maintained a romantic relationship with the suspect through the WhatsApp number 017 3695 070.
“The suspect told the victim that he worked as an engineer in London and asked the victim to help pay for the purchase of chemicals for work purposes. The victim made 25 transactions totalling RM395,000 to five bank accounts from early August 2022 to the end of September 2022,” he said.
In September 2022, the suspect promised the victim that he would come to Malaysia, after which a few days later, the victim was contacted by the Customs Department saying that the suspect was arrested in Thailand for carrying dollars in cash exceeding the set limit and was required to pay a fine to release the suspect.
“The suspect made another three transactions totalling RM255,000 to three bank accounts from the end of September 2022 to early October 2022.
“In addition, the suspect also made 36 transactions totalling RM414,000 to 16 bank accounts from early May 2023 to the end of July 2023 to purchase the suspect’s work goods, to come to Malaysia, emergency matters, and others,” Mancha disclosed.
He said the victim realised she was being scammed when the suspect asked her to pay for other things but she still had not met with the suspect. She then went to make a police report.
“The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property,” he said. — DayakDaily
