Retired teacher in Seremban cheated out of RM480,000 in phone scam

SEREMBAN: A retired teacher has been cheated out of RM480,000 in a phone scam here.

Seremban police chief Asst Comm Arifai Tarawe said the 56-year-old victim had received a call from an individual claiming to be from a courier company on Nov 15.

The caller had told the teacher that she had a parcel containing a cheque book and an identity card registered under her name.

“She had also received a call about the parcel from an individual claiming to be from the police and was told that she had apparently committed an offence,” he said.

The caller, however, did not elaborate on the offence allegedly committed by the woman.

ACP Arifai said the scammers then told the victim that they would help her provided that she was prepared to open a new bank account and transfer all her savings into it.

The victim was then given an online link and told to follow all instructions.

“After she registered, she was asked to reveal personal information including her banking details.

“After some time she became suspicious about the whole episode and decided to check her savings with the bank,” he said.

ACP Arifai said the woman got a shock when told that a sum of RM480,000 which she had banked into the new account had been withdrawn.

She lodged a police report yesterday (Dec 6).

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

The offence carries a jail term of between one and 10 years, whipping and a fine upon conviction.

ACP Arifai reminded the public to be cautious and not to quickly believe that the person calling them was a government officer.

He urged them to always check this with the police first.

The public can always call the CCID Scam Response Centre at 03-2610 1559 or 03-2610 1599.