Retiree loses RM10,000 and gold bracelets in ‘doctor’ scam

PETALING JAYA: What was supposed to be a regular visit to the morning market turned out to be a nightmare after a retired clerk lost RM10,000 and four gold bracelets to three scam artists.

Christine (not her real name) claimed she was conned by the group in an elaborate scheme, using the name of an alleged skin specialist.

It began when a foreign woman, known as “Sophie”, approached her seeking help to find a famous “Dr Wong” in the vicinity of the SS15 wet market.

“She was begging and crying, saying that her daughter has a medical condition on her legs and that she needed to see Dr Wong,” she said.

“So, I accompany her to look around but she insisted to approach only bystanders instead of market shoppers,” Christine added.

Not long after, she said a woman known as “Lee” approached them to offer help.

“This woman offers to bring us to see Dr Wong.

“We then stopped a passing car and the driver, known as ‘ Anne’, told us she is related to Dr Wong.

“Anne says her grandfather is too busy with patients but will try to get us an appointment,” Christine, 57, said.

All three of them then hopped inside Anne’s car and they drove towards Dr Wong’s house in SS15.

Several minutes later, Christine said Anne pulled over in an alley of a housing area before Lee got out of the car.

Christine said she was questioned about her financial status and family background by Anne and Sophie inside the car.

“About 10 minutes later, Lee came back and spoke to me, saying that my daughters will die one by one eventually.

“She assured me Dr Wong would help me with several conditions,” she added.

Among them were to withdraw money, hand over her jewellery and prepare some rice for a prayer session – all within two hours.

Christine said she went home and asked one of her daughters to withdraw RM10,000, took out four of her bracelets worth RM30,000 and prepared some rice before going back to meet the three women in SS15.

“Lee then told me that since I was late, the prayers could be performed in a car park, opposite a restaurant as it was a location of good luck,” she said.

According to Christine, she saw Lee putting all her items in a plastic bag, held her hands and whispered some prayers.

“She told me to bring the plastic bag home and not to speak to anyone,” Christine said, adding that she only realised she was cheated after relating the incident to her daughters.

She lodged a police report yesterday after finding out her money and jewellery were missing.