Woman loses RM168,400 to fake health ministry officer in phone scam

IPOH: A 45-year-old woman lost RM168,400 after falling victim to a fake health ministry officer who claimed she had taken several controlled medicines from the Penang Hospital.

Ipoh OCPD ACP Yahaya Hassan said a police report was lodged by the woman from Taman Tawas Gemilang here on Friday (Jan 9).

He said the woman received a call from an individual on Jan 5 who introduced himself as an officer from the ministry’s pharmacy division and claimed that she had taken several controlled medicines from the Penang Hospital.

“When the woman denied it, the line was transferred to a ‘police officer’ supposedly from the Penang Police contingent headquarters, and the victim was told that she was involved in drug smuggling and money laundering activities.

“To convince her further, the line was transferred to a ‘police officer’ from Bukit Aman who told her to follow all the instructions given.

“The victim, who was already scared at that point, followed all the instructions of the ‘officer’,” said ACP Yahaya in a statement on Saturday (Jan 10).

He said the victim sent a copy of her MyKad, and the suspect also sent a letter to her with a “Polis Diraja Malaysia” heading containing the details of the victim, allegedly linking her to the drugs smuggling and money laundering, as well as a warrant of arrest on her name.

He said the victim withdrew her money amounting to RM168,400 to be deposited into five different accounts.

“Only after that did the victim realise that she had been cheated and lodged a police report.

“The public is reminded to not easily fall into the trap when receiving calls from unknown individuals.

“People must not panic when they receive calls from individuals introducing themselves from any enforcement agencies.

“Do not entertain such calls; just disconnect the call,” he said.

He added that an individual from one enforcement agency cannot connect to another enforcement agency at the same time.

ACP Yahaya said any matters relating to government agencies are conducted at the concerned departments, not via phone calls.

“Never ever bank in money to unknown bank accounts, and never reveal your personal details and bank account details to such individuals,” he added.