KUCHING: A man was left RM20,000 poorer in six minutes after he failed to block online fund transfers by scammers.
Stampin MP Chong Chieng Jen said on Dec 15, the victim, Chai Mui Tchun, saw a car rental advertisement on Facebook.
Chai contacted the advertiser and was instructed to click on a certain link to make deposit payment as advised.
When his deposit payment could not get through, he suspected that something was wrong and proceeded to contact a friend who works with the bank.
He was told to contact the bank’s general line which he did. The bank’s officer then asked him to call the National Scam Response Centre (NSCR) hotline at 997, which he did immediately.
“Despite reacting within minutes on that day and calling 997 immediately, two weeks later, via an email dated Dec 28, 2022, he was informed by the bank that on Dec 15, 2022, between 4.47 pm and 4.53 pm, there were six transfers of fund from his savings account to one Phoon’s account with Ambank and UOB,” Chong said in a statement.
Chong listed the amounts involved and the time of transactions as follows:
1.RM3,785 to Phoon’s Ambank account at 4:47 pm
2.RM3,632 to Phoon’s Ambank account at 4:48 pm
3.RM3,583 to Phoon’s Ambank account at 4:49 pm
4.RM3,450 to Phoon’s UOB’s account at 4:51 pm
5.RM3,850 to Phoon’s UOB’s account at 4:52 pm
6.RM1,700 to Phoon’s UOB’s account at 4:53 pm
“Furthermore, the bank also told him his RM20,000 loss could not be recovered. In Chai’s case, he did not receive any OTP or PACs for all the six transactions,” Chong added.
He reminded the public to be wary of internet purchase scams so as not to become another victim.
“While consumers must be vigilant and careful while carrying out internet purchases, banks must also improve their internet banking security.
“The Ministry of Finance and Bank Negara Malaysia cannot allow such scams to continue occurring with the banks pushing off their responsibilities,” he stressed.
He pointed out that between the banks and the individual depositors, banks are in a much stronger position to improve on the internet banking security system and the capability to absorb the loss.
“Therefore, it is only when banks are made to bear such losses that these scam cases will be reduced.
“We will continue to pressure the authorities to act accordingly and the police to act on the matter.
“In this case, the recipient can be identified easily as he has two accounts, one with AmBank and one with UOB. No reason why the person is not arrested and brought to book,” he said.
