Housewife loses RM9,050 to Macau scam

MIRI: A housewife was made RM9,050 poorer when she fell victim to a Macau scam between June 29 and Aug 4 this year.

District police chief ACP Lim Meng Seah in a statement yesterday said the victim, who lodged a police report on the incident yesterday, claimed that she first received a WhatsApp message from an unknown number on June 1.

“The scammer upon introducing himself to the victim informed her that she had won a contest and that she was entitled to receive a car, a Ford Ranger.

“She was directed to make payment for road tax and insurance of the car,” said Lim.

On June 29, the victim deposited RM700 to an account. A day later, she was asked to deposit RM1,650 to the same account supposedly for delivery process charges.

“The victim was then told that the money was not enough and that she had to make another payment, so on July 4 she deposited another RM1,550 to the same account.

“She was also told that as part of the procedure of winning the prize she had to deposit more money. This led to the victim depositing another RM550 on July 11 to the same account,” said Lim.

And on July 29 and Aug 4, the victim was once again told to deposit more money to the same account to which the victim had agreed and deposited RM4,600.

“The victim then felt she had been cheated and came forward to lodge a police report at Lutong police station on Aug 23,” said Lim.

Police are investigating the case under Section 420 of the Penal Code.