(Miri, 15th) Miri District Police Chief, Assistant Commissioner Lee Bing Qiang, confirmed that the Miri Commercial Crime Investigation Department (BSJKD) received a report on February 14 regarding a 'non-existent loan' scam. A 65-year-old local man was deceived out of RM549,448.
The victim, a private sector employee in Miri, expressed interest in a personal loan advertisement he saw on Facebook and subsequently contacted the so-called loan agent via WhatsApp. The agent then requested the victim to pay various fees under the pretext of processing the loan application.
Following instructions, the victim transferred funds in 106 separate transactions to different bank accounts, totaling RM549,448. It was only after his son noticed something unusual and advised him that the victim realized he had been scammed, and he immediately lodged a police report.
The case is currently being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code (Cheating). Upon conviction, the offender may be sentenced to imprisonment for not less than one year and not more than ten years, and shall also be liable to whipping and a fine.
The Miri Police Headquarters, located at Miri Boulevard, urges the public to remain vigilant and not to trust any personal loan advertisements offered through online platforms, especially schemes that request upfront payments for processing fees or deposits.
Police advise the public to verify the legal license of loan companies with the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) before applying for loans. If you unfortunately become a victim of a scam, report to the police immediately.
If you have just made a bank transfer and suspect you have been scammed, you may promptly contact the National Scam Response Center (NSRC) via its 997 hotline so that the authorities can take timely action to freeze suspicious bank accounts.
The public can also use 'Check Scammers CCID' or visit the police Semak Mule website (http://semakmule.rmp.gov.my) to check suspicious phone numbers and bank account information to avoid falling for scams.
Police also suggest that the public follow the official Facebook page of the Commercial Crime Investigation Department and 'Cyber Crime Alert Royal Malaysia Police' to keep updated on the latest scam tactics and raise awareness of prevention.
Following instructions, the victim transferred funds in 106 separate transactions to different bank accounts, totaling RM549,448. It was only after his son noticed something unusual and advised him that the victim realized he had been scammed, and he immediately lodged a police report.
The case is currently being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code (Cheating). Upon conviction, the offender may be sentenced to imprisonment for not less than one year and not more than ten years, and shall also be liable to whipping and a fine.
The Miri Police Headquarters, located at Miri Boulevard, urges the public to remain vigilant and not to trust any personal loan advertisements offered through online platforms, especially schemes that request upfront payments for processing fees or deposits.
Police advise the public to verify the legal license of loan companies with the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) before applying for loans. If you unfortunately become a victim of a scam, report to the police immediately.
If you have just made a bank transfer and suspect you have been scammed, you may promptly contact the National Scam Response Center (NSRC) via its 997 hotline so that the authorities can take timely action to freeze suspicious bank accounts.
The public can also use 'Check Scammers CCID' or visit the police Semak Mule website (http://semakmule.rmp.gov.my) to check suspicious phone numbers and bank account information to avoid falling for scams.
Police also suggest that the public follow the official Facebook page of the Commercial Crime Investigation Department and 'Cyber Crime Alert Royal Malaysia Police' to keep updated on the latest scam tactics and raise awareness of prevention.