Clerk loses over RM1mil in love scam

SIBU: A 56-year-old female clerk here was cheated of RM1.06mil in a love scam, says Sarawak deputy commissioner of police Datuk Mancha Ata.

He said Sibu police had on Monday (July 31) received a report from the 56-year-old woman claiming that she was conned by a man she met on social media.

“The victim said she met a man known as ‘Thomas Yeng Leong’ through Facebook in the middle of last year and started a relationship. After that she contacted the suspect via WhatsApp,” he said.

Mancha added that the suspect cooked up a story saying that he worked as an engineer in London and asked her to help him make payments for the purchase of chemicals for his work.

“She obliged and transferred RM395,000 to five different bank accounts from the beginning of August until the end of September 2022,” said Mancha.

He said that in September, the suspect promised to come to Malaysia to meet her, adding that the victim was contacted by a “Customs officer” a few days later.

Mancha said that the person told the victim that the suspect had been detained in Thailand for carrying US dollars exceeding the set limit and that a fine was imposed for his release.

He then said that the woman believed it was true and transferred RM255,000 to three different bank accounts from the end of September to early October to secure his release.

“Following that the victim made another 36 money transfer transactions amounting to about RM414,000 to 16 different bank accounts from early May 2023 to the end of July,” said Mancha.

“The money was for the suspect to purchase goods for his work, dating expenses in Malaysia, and emergency use,” he added.

The woman finally realised that she had been deceived when the suspect was still asking for more money to make payments for various reasons.

The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.