Cheated of RM1.4mil in parcel scam, woman only realises she was a victim three years later

IPOH: A 62-year-old woman from Taman Wah Keong here has lost about RM1.4mil after falling victim to a phone scam.

Perak police chief Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Yusof Hassan Basri said the retiree had received the call from a scammer who claimed to be from a courier service company on March 27, 2020.

“The scammer had informed her about an issue with a parcel and gave her a number, purportedly to be of the Sabah police to verify the matter.

“The victim called the number given and was accused by the ‘police officers’ of being involved with money laundering and drugs,” he said in a statement on Wednesday (Sept 13).

“The scammer also claimed that an arrest warrant has been issued for her,” he said, adding that the victim had communicated with five suspects.

“She revealed all her personal banking and e-wallet details to the scammers.

“She also followed the scammers’ instructions to transfer money from her bank account to several others,” he added.

Comm Mohd Yusri said the woman only realised that she had been cheated after failing to meet up face-to-face with one of the suspects who promised to meet her since 2020.

“The woman lost about RM1.4mil worth of money and cryptocurrency,” he said, adding that a police report was lodged on Tuesday (Sept 12).

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

“The people are again advised to be careful of unknown numbers,” he added.