Eight people latest victims of 'Macau scam' in Johor

JOHOR BARU: Within a week, eight Malaysians became victims of the "Macau scam" with each losing thousands of ringgit in the Johor Baru Utara area.
Johor Baru Utara district police chief ACP Mohd Taib Ahmad (pix) said in a statement that the victims aged between 51 and 56 lost their money after following instructions from a caller and depositing money into a third party account between Dec 21 and 27.
"The syndicate uses the same modus operandi of impersonating a bank officer or police officer. They inform them that their bank account was involved in an illegal transaction with a criminal syndicate," he added.
He said when the victims become anxious and worried, they tell them the problem can be resolved with them depositing the money into a stipulated account.
Voicing a sense of urgency, the caller then asks them to transfer the money as soon as they end the conversation.
Mohd Taib said the "Macau scam" has been reported many times, yet the public still falls victim to it.
Those caught committing the offence will be investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating, which carries a jail term of more than one year and less than 10 years, fine and whipping.