A retired teacher lost RM512,316.18 of her life savings to a Macau scam syndicate earlier this year.
But the victim only lodged a police report yesterday, after finally being convinced that she had been cheated.
State Commercial Crime Investigation Department (JSJK) chief Assistant Commissioner Mohd Rosni Mohd Lazim said the victim’s ordeal started way back on June 2, when she received a call on her house phone from +87088454222.
He said the victim told the suspect to contact him on her cell phone.
The call was from a man, who introduced himself as “Sergeant Fairus” from Kota Kinabalu.
“The victim was told she was involved in an illegal money laundering syndicate after they found her parcel containing eight ATM cards, used to cheat people.
“After being informed of that, the victim got scared and followed all of the suspect’s instructions. The victim was asked to put her bank card, including PIN number, into her mailbox. She believed the order came from Bukit Aman.
“The victim was also told that an “inspector” would come to collect her card, and that if she failed to comply with the instructions given, she would be detained.
“Scared, the victim just followed all the orders given by the suspect,” he said today.
Mohd Rosni said the following day, the victim went to check her mailbox and found her ATM card was gone.
He said the victim had gone to the bank on July 20 to apply for a new card as she wanted to withdraw her husband’s pension.
“When she checked her account balance, she found that the suspect had withdrawn RM512,316.18.
“It was only then that she realised she had been cheated, before lodging a police report yesterday.
“She was afraid of being detained and believed that when the matter was resolved, she would get all her money back,” he added.
Mohd Rosni said investigations revealed that the call made to the victim was from a number registered overseas.
The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating. – NST