JEMPOL: An executive has lost RM280,000 after falling victim to a phone scam.
District police chief Superintendent Hoo Chang Hook said the 32-year-old woman received a call from a man claiming to be a police officer named "Inspector Yong" yesterday.
The "inspector" told the victim that she was implicated in two cases involving bank card "rentals" and money laundering.
He said the victim denied the allegations before the call was transferred to another "officer" named "Datuk Chin", who claimed to be from the Melaka police headquarters.
"The victim was told that the police had found 200 identity cards and one belonging to her at a premise. After she denied the claims, she was told by Datuk Chin to transfer all her funds for her finances to be investigated," he said, as reported by Buletin TV3.
Hoo added that the victim was told that the transfer was necessary to facilitate an audit and ensure that her funds were legitimate and not linked to money laundering.
He said the victim, who now believed the claims, transferred RM280,000 into six different bank accounts. After the transfer, she continued to receive calls, including requests for additional payments, which she refused to make.
"Feeling suspicious, the victim then called the Melaka police headquarters, only to be informed that she had been scammed," he said.
Hoo added that the victim subsequently lodged a report at the Bahau police station. The case was being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code.