The victim clicked on a link from the alleged scammer through WhatsApp and filled in his banking username and password. — Image by Freepik
KUANTAN: A 55-year-old vocational training officer was cheated of RM23,514.70 by a scammer impersonating a Touch ‘n Go (TNG) card sales agent, Pahang police said.
The incident occurred last Wednesday (Jan 4).
The victim had reportedly seen an advertisement on Facebook claiming to offer NFC-capable Enhanced TNG cards for cheap – an alleged “Family Package” containing four cards priced at RM32.
NFC TNG cards usually go for RM10 plus shipping when purchased direct from the company.
According to Pahang police chief Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf, the victim had dealt with the alleged scammer via WhatsApp.
“The victim clicked on a link provided by the impersonator through WhatsApp.
“He then filled in bank account information such as username and password for the payment process, but it was not successful.
“He later found that the money in the account had disappeared without his knowledge,” he said in a media statement posted on the Pahang Police Facebook page.
Police also reminded the public not to reveal their banking details to third parties or to any applications from suspicious links.
Last Friday, Touch ‘n Go had issued a notice of a new scam tactic where fraudsters impersonate TNG staff to offer alleged upgrades of TNG cards, going so far as to share photos of their ‘staff ID’.
The Royal Malaysia Police's Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) has also recently collaborated with caller ID application 'Whoscall' to curb online scam cases.
