A 59-year-old former lecturer in Kuantan lost over RM200,000 after falling for a phone scam involving fake police and prosecutor calls
KUANTAN: A retired woman lost more than RM200,000 after falling victim to a sophisticated phone scam.
Pahang police chief Datuk Seri Yahaya Othman confirmed the 59-year-old former lecturer was initially contacted by someone impersonating an insurance company representative.
The scammer falsely informed her about a RM68,000 insurance claim involving her name.
Her call was then transferred to other individuals posing as a police officer and a Deputy Public Prosecutor.
These fake officials falsely accused the retiree of involvement in a money laundering case.
She was instructed to open a new bank account and transfer all her money into it for supposed investigation purposes.
The victim made ten cash transactions using her personal savings and loan proceeds between April 9 and June 12.
She only realised she had been deceived when the suspects demanded additional payments.
The former lecturer filed a police report at the Kuantan Police Headquarters yesterday.
Police are investigating the case under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.
Authorities remind the public to verify any unexpected financial claims with official institutions directly.
Never transfer money to unknown accounts based on unsolicited phone calls.
This case highlights the ongoing threat of phone scams targeting vulnerable individuals. – Bernama
