A company manager in Penang was cheated of RM2.54 million by scammers posing as police and cyber security officers over a 10-month period.
GEORGE TOWN: A private company manager was cheated of more than RM2.54 million after falling victim to a phone scam syndicate.
Penang police chief Datuk Azizee Ismail said the 54-year-old man was deceived after receiving a call at his George Town home on February 21.
The caller claimed to be a cyber security officer and alleged 16 complaints had been lodged against the victim’s phone number.
ALSO READ: Former manager loses RM241,000 in phone scam impersonating NSRC
“The victim denied the allegations and was instructed to lodge an online police report,” said Azizee in a statement today.
The call was then connected to a person posing as a Bukit Aman police officer.
This suspect claimed the victim was also suspected of money laundering and drug trafficking.
Azizee said the suspect later threatened the victim with arrest if he failed to comply with instructions.
The victim was instructed to open three new bank accounts.
He was told to leave the ATM cards and their PIN numbers in front of his house for collection.
The suspect assured the victim the cards would be returned after the investigation.
Between March 4 and September 22, the victim made 12 fund transfers into the newly opened accounts.
The suspect continued to demand additional payments until the man ran out of money on December 13.
The victim lodged a police report last Sunday after realising he had been cheated.
Investigations are ongoing to trace the syndicate’s network.
The case is being probed under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating. – Bernama
