A 56-year-old teacher was duped into handing over her ATM card, leading to unauthorised withdrawals totalling RM144,152 by a scammer posing as an NSRC official.
KUALA BERANG: A teacher was cheated of RM144,152 after being deceived by a man impersonating an officer from the National Scam Response Centre.
Hulu Terengganu police chief Supt Sharudin Abdul Wahab said the 56-year-old victim was contacted on 17 November by the suspect.
The scammer falsely accused her of involvement in circulating fake government aid links and money laundering activities.
He instructed the victim to surrender her ATM card and PIN, claiming it was required for a police investigation.
On 4 December, the suspect contacted the victim again and told her to leave the ATM card at a signboard behind a school.
“Out of fear of legal action and imprisonment, the victim panicked and complied without verifying the claim,” Sharudin said in a statement.
The victim later realised she had been scammed after discovering RM144,152 was missing from her savings.
Checks revealed five unauthorised withdrawals were made by unknown individuals between 4 and 8 December.
The victim lodged a police report last Wednesday, and the case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code.
Sharudin advised the public to remain vigilant against such scams.
He urged people to verify any suspicious calls or messages with the police, the Semak Mule portal, the Securities Commission, or Bank Negara Malaysia’s Alert List.
