Facebook ‘friend’ cheats housewife of RM34,000

JERANTUT: A housewife lost more than RM34,000 of her savings to a person she befriended on Facebook

State Commercial Crime Investigation Department chief Superintendent Mohd Wazir Mohd Yusof said the 60-year-old woman from Taman Intan here befriended a man named Ying Jimmy in July.

In their correspondence, Ying told her that he was from the United States.

“The suspect asked her to help him start a company in Malaysia.

“Ying said he wanted to give the woman US$1 million (RM4.14 million) to start a business.

“He told her he had delivered a package to her, containing cash, on Aug 13.

“On Aug 15, the victim received a call from a woman, who asked her to pay insurance fees to facilitate the delivery of the package.

“On Aug 16 and 17, the victim made six deposits into two bank accounts provided by the suspect for various ‘fees’, including lawyer’s fees and insurance.”

Wazir said after depositing the money, the victim received a call by the woman, who said there was a problem with the package and that she needed to pay RM30,000.

“That was when the victim realised she had been scammed.

“She lodged a report at the Jerantut district police station yesterday (on Monday),” he said.

The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years jail and whipping, and a fine upon conviction.