Housewife loses RM3,000 to husband’s friend

KUANTAN: A housewife, 30, was allegedly duped into paying RM3,000 to a conman, who promised to secure the release of her brother-in-law who was detained by police for drug and cable theft offences early last month.

When her brother-in-law, who is in his 20s, was picked up by police on Aug 7, the suspect approached the victim and informed her that he had “contacts” in the police force to assist her.

As the man was her husband’s friend, the victim did not suspect anything when he came to her house in Beserah and she agreed to pay RM3,000 when informed that the investigating officer could help release her brother-inlaw.

State Commercial Crime Investigation Department chief Superintendent Mohd Wazir Mohd Yusof said the victim’s family handed the cash to the suspect on Aug 14, but her brother-in-law never came home.

He said when the victim checked with the police, she was informed that her brotherin-law was in Penor Prison and the investigating officer said he had never made such offers through a middleman.

“The investigating officer advised her to lodge a report at the district police station.

“Our officers have identified the suspect,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Wazir said in a separate incident, a civil servant, 29, became RM3,400 poorer after realising that she had fallen victim to a love scam syndicate.

He said the woman failed to receive luxury gifts from the social media acquaintance, identified as Leo Evans from Romania, after depositing the cash.

“The victim linked up with a man through Instagram earlier this month.

“He promised her several gifts, including handbags, branded watches and clothes. Several days later, she received a call from a courier agent asking her to pay RM3,400 in order to receive the items.

“After paying the cash, the woman suspected that something was amiss and realised she had been cheated. She lodged a report at the district police station.”

The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.