KUANTAN: A businessman lost RM40,000 of his savings after he was duped by a bogus policeman who turned up to be a member of a Macau scam syndicate.
The con took place when the 48-year-old victim received a phone call from a man purportedly to be a representative from the Kuala Terengganu magistrate’s court who claimed the victim had committed a criminal offence.
Pahang Commercial Crime Investigation Department chief Superintendent Mohd Wazir Mohd Yusof said the caller told the victim that investigations revealed that he had an outstanding credit card balance of RM10,000.
“The call was transferred to a ‘policeman’ who introduced himself as ‘Inspector Firdaus’ and claimed that the victim was also involved in money laundering and drug smuggling activities.
“After the victim denied the allegations, the suspect told him to speak to his superior known as ‘Datuk Wong’.
“The victim was told to lodge a police report online and transfer his savings into a bank account supposedly provided by Bank Negara for monitoring purposes.”
The victim then transferred RM40,000 into a bank account provided by ‘Datuk Wong’ the following day. Upon informing the matter to the suspect bogus cop, the victim was told to transfer another RM5,000.
Sensing something amiss, the victim lodged a police report and the case was being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating, which provides for a maximum jail term of 10 years and whipping, and a fine, if convicted.
