Syndicate using same modus operandi as Macau Scam detected in Penang

GEORGE TOWN: A syndicate in which the members posed as a policeman and bank officer to deceive the public using the same modus operandi as in the Macau Scam syndicate, has been detected in the state.

Penang Commercial CID chief ACP Abdul Ghani Ahmad said the police had been receiving tens of phone calls from members of the public asking for confirmation about a police officer conducting probe into their bank accounts.

“The public claimed to have received a telephone call from an individual claiming to be a police officer from the Penang Police Contingent headquarters and telling them that their names and phone numbers had been used to open multiple bank accounts in Malaysia.

“The victims also claimed to have received calls from several banks informing them that a new account has been opened using their names and identity card numbers and that several money transfer transactions had been executed through that account,” he told reporters here yesterday.

He said the caller also told the victims’ that their accounts were suspected of being involved in several crime cases related to drugs and money-laundering, when in reality they did not even have the accounts.

Abdul Ghani said the suspect would then instructed the victims to transfer their balance to another account to ensure that the money would not be frozen.

He said no victims suffered monetary loss so far. The public are advised not to follow any instructions to transfer their money into another account given by any individuals through telephone calls or online. – Bernama