Retired teacher falls victim to Macau scam, loses RM317,500
BATU PAHAT: A retired teacher lost her savings of RM317,500 to a Macau scam syndicate last Tuesday.
Acting Batu Pahat district police chief Superintendent K.S. Mender Singh said the victim, 60, received a telephone call from a man claiming to be a court Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa-personnel at 10.30am, who then connected the call to a policeman.
He said the woman was told that she had arrears in credit card payment and that the card had been used by someone to commit crime.
He added that her name was connected to drug smuggling and money laundering activities.
“Panicked by all the accusations made against her, the woman did as she was told, including giving the details of her bank account, which she was told was needed to facilitate police investigation.
“She was then asked to make a cash deposit of RM317,500, with a promise that the money would be returned upon completion of the investigation, which would take less than 30 minutes.
“The woman realised that she was conned after she did not get the money after 30 minutes as promised.
“Her attempts to contact the suspect through the telephone number given were futile,” he said yesterday.
The woman then lodged a report at the Batu Pahat police station.
In another development, Mender said efforts were being made to eliminate gambling activity here, with 27 raids conducted last week.
Twenty-seven individuals were detained in the raids.
“The police are working with the Batu Pahat Municipal Council to identify premises that are used as venues for illegal gambling,” Mender said.