KUCHING: A pensioner lost RM103,000 after he was misled into believing that he was involved in money laundering.
The unfortunate incident happened on Aug 24 when the victim, in his 70s, received a call from an individual purporting to represent a courier company, who informed that they had received a package containing an identity card and bank cards.
However, the victim denied any knowledge of such a delivery.
Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Mohd Azman Ahmad Sapri said the situation escalated when the call was transferred to an individual identified as ‘ASP Moktar’ from Ipoh police station in Perak.
The alleged police officer told the victim that there was an arrest warrant in his name for involvement in money laundering.
“Under duress, the victim was coerced into divulging details of his savings and then ordered to initiate multiple money transfers to various bank accounts, all under the guise of an ongoing investigation.
“In total, the victim transferred RM103,000 into two bank accounts via four transactions by the end of August.
“The suspect then directed the victim to erase all WhatsApp conversations related to the incident and dispose of the money transfer receipts,” he said.
It was only after confiding in his family that the victim realised that he had been swindled.
The victim reported the incident to the police yesterday (Sept 11) and the case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code.
