SEGAMAT: A 41-year-old woman suffered more than heartbreak after falling for a "love scam" and losing over RM200,000.
The victim's troubles began when she met the suspect on social media last month.
The suspect claimed to be a Swiss national working as a flight attendant.
After getting to know each other for a week, the suspect promised to give the woman gifts, including cash, jewellery, a mobile phone, and shoes, all worth RM4 million.
District police chief Superintendent Ahmad Zamry Marinsah said these promises caused the woman to fall for the suspect.
"On Dec 27, the victim was contacted by another suspect posing as a delivery agent and asked for advance payment," he said in a statement.
The fees were supposedly for a certificate proving there was no money laundering, import duties, delivery charges, and insurance.
The victim complied and made 48 transactions into the suspect's account.
When the gifts and cash did not arrive, the woman suspected something was wrong and lodged a police report yesterday. By then, she had lost RM217,080.
"The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating," Zamry said.
"The public is advised to stay updated on such scams through the Commercial Crime Investigation Department's social media platforms to avoid being cheated."