Sabah Accountant Loses RM2.2 Million To Online Lover She Never Met In 7-Year Scam
She made 306 transactions to the suspect's bank accounts over seven years.
By May Vin Ang — 18 Dec 2024, 03:18 PM
A 67-year-old woman from Sabah has fallen victim to a seven-year love scam, losing over RM2.2 million to an online lover she has never met
According to Malay Mail, Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department director Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf revealed that the accountant was duped by a man she befriended on Facebook in 2017.
The scam began when the man, who claimed to be a US citizen, told her he wanted to move to Malaysia but lacked the funds to do so.
Believing him, the victim initially transferred RM5,000 to the suspect.
"The suspect then continued to request for money under various pretexts, such as personal issues and business matters," Ramli said.
Over the next seven years, the victim ended up transferring over RM2.21 million through 306 transactions to 50 different bank accounts.
She only realised she had been scammed after confiding in a friend in November. The victim finally filed a police report on Monday, 16 December.
In a separate case, Ramli said a 57-year-old woman from Selangor lost nearly RM2.5 million in another online love scam
Ramli revealed that the victim met the scammer, who claimed to be from England, on Facebook in April.
After two weeks of communication, the man said he planned to travel to Malaysia to meet her.
"However, the situation took a turn when an individual, allegedly from customs, contacted the victim, claiming the man had been arrested for attempting to bring in USD500 million (RM4.66 million) in cash.
"The woman was told to make payments to various government agencies and banks to secure the release of the individual," said Ramli.
Believing that she was making payments to authorities such as Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN), and the Health Ministry, the victim made 13 transactions to 13 different bank accounts, totalling RM2.47 million.
Ramli said that the victim later realised she had been scammed and filed a police report on 28 November.
Both cases are being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code.
