By DayakDaily Team
MIRI, Jan 11: A local man in his early 60s lost more than RM253,000 after falling victim to a scam involving a suspect impersonating the child of his acquaintance to borrow money.
Miri District Police Chief ACP Mohd Farhan Lee Abdullah said the Commercial Crime Investigation Division (BSJKD) of Miri police received a report regarding the incident yesterday (Jan 10).
According to the report, the victim was contacted around December 2025 with the caller claiming to be the son of the victim’s friend.
“The suspect told the victim that payments from a project carried out by his family could not be released as they were blocked, and that a payment needed to be made to a bank in Singapore,” he said in a statement today.
To convince the victim, the suspect provided a document purportedly showing that the project was legitimate.
The victim was also promised that he would be repaid more than the amount borrowed once the project payment was released.
Believing the claims, the victim made a total of 41 money transfer transactions to four different bank accounts.
“The victim only realised he had been deceived after informing his family members about the matter,” Farhan added.
The total losses suffered amounted to RM253,110.
The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating. The investigating officer is Insp Sisim Abd Samad.
Farhan advised the public to remain vigilant and to avoid disclosing or providing any financial information to unknown callers.
“Always be cautious and take preventive measures when dealing online, especially when the caller claims to be an acquaintance, delivery service, law enforcement agency or the court,” he said. — DayakDaily
