Trader loses almost RM120,000 to phone scammers posing as police

IPOH: A trader from Teluk Intan lost about RM118,880 after falling victim to a phone scam.

Hilir Perak OCPD Asst Comm Ahmad Adnan Basri said the 48-year-old woman had received a call from the scammer on Sept 14, who introduced himself as a staff member from the Inland Revenue Board, informing her about “arrears” amounting to RM58,982.

ACP Ahmad Adnan said the woman denied the matter and was then told to lodge a police report, with the call being connected to one “Kpl Iskandar”.

“Kpl Iskandar had accused the victim of conspiring with another person in money laundering and drug trafficking. She was asked to transfer RM98,000 to the police for investigation purposes, and promised that the money would be returned upon completion of the case,” he said in a statement.

“She was then connected to one ‘Sjn Redzwan’ who told her that she could face the gallows and whipping as the crime was a serious offence. She was instructed to send messages to him daily at 9am, 12pm, 3pm, 5pm and 9pm via WhatsApp; the number provided was 017-544 2015,” he added.

ACP Ahmad Adnan said on Sept 15 at about 11.05am, the victim received a call from Sjn Redzwan again, this time telling her to declare all her assets, including her bank account details and jewellery.

“She then got a call from one ‘Datuk Senior Asst Comm Amirul’ who told her to take a picture of her husband’s bank account booklet, which she sent,” he then said.

“On the same day, she withdrew RM21,500 from her Amanah Saham Bhd to be deposited into a bank account belonging to one ‘Rokih’,” he said, adding that seven transactions were made.

He added that “SAC Amirul” contacted the victim at about 1.05pm on Sept 18 and told her to pawn her jewellery worth RM97,380 and put the money into accounts with two financial institutions for the purposes of investigations and to clear her name.

“On the same night, the victim informed her husband about the matter and was advised to lodge a police report,” he added.

ACP Ahmad Adnan said the people need to be cautious to avoid falling victim to scams.

He said unknown callers or messages ought to be ignored or to use the Whoscall or Truecaller mobile apps to identify the numbers.

“Don’t be quick to panic when dealing with scammers. Enforcement agencies do not call people up to threaten them or to give an option to settle outside,” he said.

ACP Ahmad Adnan said that people who receive such calls should tell their spouse, friends or family members about these calls to get their views or call the 997 National Scam Response Centre hotline for advice.

“Never share or reveal personal banking details under any circumstances when asked by strangers to deposit into any bank accounts. Cross check the bank accounts on https://semakmule.rmp.gov.my or download the Semak Mule app,” he added.