IPOH: A 72-year-old man was cheated out of RM177,700 after a scammer called him to say that his bank account had been used for money laundering.
“He received a call from a stranger who claimed to be from the Digital and Communications Ministry on June 12.”
“He was told that his bank account was involved in money laundering activities and that he should go to the Ipoh district police station,” said Perak police chief Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri.
When the man, who works for a non-governmental organisation in Taiping, maintained his innocence, the scammer transferred the call to another person claiming to be from the police force.
“This second person told the victim that they could help resolve the case,” Comm Mohd Yusri said in a statement yesterday.
He said the victim was told to give the numbers of his ATM card and its PIN.
“In a state of anxiety and fear, the victim also gave his ‘one-time password’. He was then informed that funds from his bank account will be moved to another account for investigations.
“The man was given the assurance that the money would be returned to him after investigations were completed.”
Comm Mohd Yusri said the victim went to his bank in Taiping on Thursday to check his account only to find that a large sum of money had disappeared.
“There were five suspicious transactions made involving a total of about RM177,700, which was transferred to five separate bank accounts.
“He tried but failed to contact the second person who had called him.”
Comm Mohd Yusri said the man subsequently lodged a police report, adding that the matter is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.
He advised the people against trusting callers from unknown numbers.
“Do not panic when you receive a call from anyone who claims to be from enforcement agencies.
“Just do not entertain them. End these calls,” he said, adding that enforcement agencies would not connect calls to a different agency at the same time.
“Should there be any doubt, check with the respective agencies and not the numbers given by the unknown individuals.”
Comm Mohd Yusri advised the public against revealing bank account numbers or other personal banking details to strangers.
“Call the 997 National Scam Response Centre to verify first before transferring money to a third-party account.”
