JEMPOL: A 44-year-old assistant manager of a private company lost RM30,000 in a phone scam after being accused of being involved in illegal activities.
Jempol police chief Supt Hoo Chang Hook said the victim received a call from a man claiming to be from the Communications Ministry on Aug 27 who told her that her phone number will be blocked for her involvement in such activities.
"The victim denied any wrongdoing and the suspect told her that he would connect the call to 999 to allow her to verify the case.
"She then spoke to a woman who identified herself as Sjn Ain, who claimed to be from the Kelantan police contingent," he said in a statement.
Supt Hoo said a short while later the victim received a call from one Insp Nazlan who said checks with Bukit Aman showed the woman was involved in money laundering and drug related activities.
"He told the victim that she committed the offences with one Lai Peng Keong.
"The caller also told the victim that she sold a bank ATM card to Lai for RM20,000 and had also been receiving a monthly commission," he said.
Supt Hoo said this was followed by another call from one Asst Supt Datuk Azmi who also claimed to be from the Kelantan police contingent.
"He told the victim that her case can be settled but she would have to download a Bank Negara application.
"She was then told to fill in the relevant information and the case would be probed by auditors from the central bank," he said.
Supt Hoo said the victim did as instructed and provided her personal as well banking account details in the app.
However, a short while later, she decided to check her bank account and found that RM30,000 had been withdrawn and transferred to another account without her knowledge.
She then lodged a police report.
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.
