GEORGE TOWN: A 53-year-old woman has lost more than RM2.3 million in an online love scam after being deceived by a man posing as a Singaporean businessman based in Canada, introduced to her by her aunt.
Acting state police chief Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin said the victim’s ordeal began in February last year, when her aunt introduced her to the man.
According to a police report lodged by the victim, Alwi said the woman’s aunt had met the suspect at a seminar in Kuala Lumpur and had intended to matchmake the two.
He said that throughout the relationship, the victim only communicated with the suspect via WhatsApp.
“In March last year, the suspect claimed he was involved in an electric grid installation project in Oman and needed assistance in transferring funds to purchase raw materials.
“He cited unstable internet access in Oman as the reason for seeking help.
“Believing she was in a genuine relationship, the victim agreed to help and accessed the suspect’s account to make the transactions.
“She was later contacted by someone claiming the transfer had failed due to cross-border issues, and was told she needed to pay additional banking service charges, with promises of reimbursement,” he said in a statement today.
Between March 28 and Aug 18 last year, Alwi said, the victim made 58 transactions amounting to RM1,936,818.67 to nine different local bank accounts provided by the suspect.
In September last year, the suspect told the victim that he had deposited a US$404,500 cheque into “Heritage Asset Bank Oman” to repay her.
She was then contacted by someone posing as a customer service officer from the bank’s “Malaysian branch,” who claimed she needed to pay banking charges to cash the cheque.
“From Sept 25 last year to July 4 this year, the victim made another 13 transactions totalling RM399,407 to five local bank accounts.
“The victim only realised she had been scammed when the excuses became increasingly unreasonable and she suffered significant financial losses,” he added.
The victim lodged a police report on July 8.
Alwi urged the public to remain cautious and not to fall prey to scammers who exploit emotions and trust through online relationships.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
