Scammers would often stop at nothing to ensure that they sweet talk or frighten victims into handing over their hard-earned money, even if it means resorting to ridiculous means to do so.
A retired civil servant was so terrified by the prospect of her being arrested for an alleged crime that she willingly followed a bizarre line of instructions which saw her lose thousands of Ringgit.
M’sian woman told to hang debit cards on tree inside plastic bag
According to a report by Sinar Harian, Kuala Terengganu District Police Chief, Assistant Commissioner Azli Mohd. Noor said the 68-year-old victim received a call from the suspect claiming to be an officer from the Pahang Contingent Police Headquarters at 9am on Jan 16.
In the call, the suspect told the woman that there was an arrest warrant issued against her for money laundering and tampering with water metres.
“The victim was then instructed to provide all her banking information, including three debit cards, purportedly for investigation purposes.
She was also told to place the debit cards inside a plastic bag and hang it on a tree in front of her house,” said Azli.
Cheated of RM155,804
Unfortunately, it all proved to be a ploy when the woman began getting notifications about money being withdrawn from her three bank accounts and Tabung Haji.
When she contacted the banks to freeze her accounts and get the transaction records, it was too late as over 55 transactions had been made to four accounts through ATMs, resulting in a loss of RM155,804
The case is now being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.
A woman in Singapore couldn’t enjoy her retirement in peace after she lost over RM320,000 to scammers:
