By Aida Aziz
IPOH – A man working as a Marine Biology Officer lost RM500,000 after falling victim to an online phone scam.
Perak Police Chief, Datuk Noor Hisam Nordin, said the 44-year-old victim was tricked by an individual impersonating a police officer under the pretense of resolving a non-existent criminal case.
He stated that the police received a report from the victim last Wednesday at the Ipoh District Police Headquarters (IPD).
“The victim, who works at a private company, told investigators that on May 14, he received a phone call from an unknown number.
“He was informed that he was allegedly involved in counterfeiting and money laundering.
“The following day, he was contacted by a suspect claiming to be a police officer from the Pahang Contingent Police Headquarters (IPK), who also showed him personal documents belonging to the victim.
“The victim was then connected to an ‘investigating officer’ at Bukit Aman. Believing the suspect’s story, he made several fund transfers via online banking and ATM to nine different accounts, totaling RM500,000,” he said.
He added that the funds came from the victim’s personal savings and contributions from his family.
Noor Hisam said the case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code (cheating).
Police are advising the public not to easily trust phone calls from unknown numbers claiming to be from the police, Inland Revenue Board, banks, courts, courier services, and the like — especially if they accuse you of being involved in crimes, debts, or suspicious packages, and then request you to transfer money to a “secure account” or ask for banking information and one-time passwords (OTP).
You are advised not to panic, not to share personal information, and to end the call immediately and verify with the official authorities.
