Insurance agent claims to have lost RM10,700 to parcel scam

SIBU: A woman has lodged a police report, claiming that she lost RM10,700 to a parcel scam.

According to Sibu police chief ACP Stanley Jonathan Ringgit, the 42-year- old complainant, who works an insurance agent, said she had befriended one ‘ Steven Lee’ on Nov 18 last year via social media.

She said this ‘ Steven Lee’ had claimed that he was from China, but currently residing in the US.

He had told the woman that he was interested to invest in Malaysia and in this regard, he would offer her some commission if she could assist him in this endeavour.

“On Feb 2, the man told the victim that he had sent a parcel to her.

“After that, she received a call from one ‘ Mary Tan’ who informed her about a parcel at Kuala Lumpur International Airport ( KLIA) addressed to her.

“The victim was told to pay for customs duty processing fees in order to release the parcel,” said Stanley in a statement yesterday.

According to the Sibu police chief, the victim was also told by this ‘ Mary Tan’ to make the payment in US currency.

On Feb 4, she paid RM2,250 via online transfer to a bank account provided by Mary Tan, he added.

“This was followed by another three online banking transactions totalling RM8,450, to another bank account.

“Even after these numerous transactions, ‘ Mary Tan’ continued to ask for money from the victim,” said Stanley.

“Feeling suspicious, the victim enquired ‘ Steven Lee’, who merely told her to follow the instructions given by ‘ Mary Tan’.

“He promised the victim that he would repay her once he reached Malaysia.”

Stanley said in the end, the woman realised that she had been scammed and proceeded to lodge a police report on Feb 10.

T he case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code.