Love and Macau scams: Don’t be taken for a ride
MIRI: Sixteen fraud cases involving ‘Love Scam’ and ‘Macau Scam’ were recorded here involving losses of more than RM600,000 during the first nine months of this year.
Of that, nine cases were Love Scams while the other seven Macau Scams.
Assistant Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Lee Kim Shin said fraud cases in Miri are alarming and, if not stopped, more would become victims.
He urged the authorities, especially Bukit Aman Federal Police Headquarters, to address such cases which were found to be worrying because of the huge losses involved.
“I received complaints from several victims but I can only bring this issue to the authorities. The authorities have to take a serious look at this as many have fallen victims to such scams,” Lee said at a press conference at Miri District Police Headquarters here on Thursday (Oct 12).
The Senadin assemblyman said he received a complaint from a man who claimed his wife fell victim to a phone call (in a Macau Scam) and was tricked to transfer about RM310,000 from his bank account on Sept 11 this year.
Lee called on the public to be cautious by not entertaining suspicious callers.
“They should not easily trust their acquaintances in cyberspace. Be cautious and not believe the claims made by the caller.
“Never reveal your personal informat ion such as your identification card and bank account numbers. If alarmed by the call, check with the relevant agency,” he added.
Present at the press conference was Miri police chief ACP Lim Meng Seah and Miri head of Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) ASP Adianto Mudin.