By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, March 21: An elderly e-hailing driver from Sibu was left RM11,600 poorer after falling for a phone scam by a person claiming to be an old friend in need of money.
As reported by TVS today, the victim was unaware he was being scammed because the caller sounded like an old friend.
Sibu police chief ACP Zulkipli Suhaili said the police received a report from the victim on Tuesday (March 19), explaining that the incident occurred when the victim received a phone call from the suspect who introduced himself as a friend.
The suspect also mentioned that his old number had been lost and asked the victim for financial help for house repairs.
“Without thinking, the victim agreed to provide assistance by transferring money three times totaling RM11,600 into a local bank account as provided by the suspect,” he said.
Zulkipli said that the victim realised that he had been cheated after the money transfer was made. The victim’s phone call was blocked by the suspect.
According to Zulkipli, the victim filed a police report on the same day at a nearby police station, and the case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code.
The public is reminded not to place too much trust in phone calls or money loan requests via messages from friends or acquaintances, especially if the bank account used belongs to someone else.
Zulkipli also advised the public to refer to the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) at 997 and follow the Facebook page @CyberCrimeAlertRMP @JSJKPDRM for advice or further information. — DayakDaily
