Investment company executive loses RM1.2m to Macau Scam

PETALING JAYA: Ignorance and naivety on issues related to Macau Scam led an investment company executive being cheated of RM1.2 million when she fell victim to the syndicate recently.
Subang Jaya district police chief ACP Mohammad Azlin Sadari said the incident occurred on Oct 5 when the victim received a call from a woman claiming to be an officer of the Kuala Terengganu Court.
"The so called court officer informed the victim that someone had taken out a personal loan under the victim's name.
"The victim denied taking out any personal loan and the phone call was then transferred to another woman who introduced herself as an investigating officer at the Terengganu police headquarters.
"The fraudster then told the victim that investigations had revealed that the victim was suspected of money laundering of RM1.48 million, based on name and identity card number," he said today.
Mohammad Azlin said the "officer" advised the victim to take leave from work and to collect necessary documents to present to a Audit Department officer who would interview her as part of the investigation.
"The lady panicked and blindly followed the instructions given by the fraudster.
"She transferred all her money into four bank accounts, as her own accounts apparently would soon be frozen as part of the investigation," he added.
The victim made the transfers over the counter, between Oct 5 and 10.
She only realised she had been cheated when she told her husband what had happened.
The husband knew this was a Macau Scam and lodged a police report on Monday.
Mohammad Azlin said he was puzzled why people still fell for such scams.
"We have repeatedly advised people to always check with the police whenever they get such calls. We will never advise anyone to transfer their money into another account," he said.
Meanwhile, MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head Datuk Seri Michael Chong said his department has handled 12 Macau scam cases involving approximately RM3.7 million in losses from January.
However, he noted at a press conference today that it was difficult to catch these scammers due to their constantly changing tactics.
"There were four press conferences on this topic. I don't know how else to bring awareness. It's to the point where news like this is nothing new anymore," he said.