Kuching man loses RM20,000 to scammer posing as friend, bank account flagged in another district

File photo for illustration purposes only. Photo: Pixabay

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, Nov 12: A 50-year-old man from Kuching lost RM20,000 after falling victim to a scammer impersonating his friend in an incident reported here on Nov 11.

According to a Serian District Police statement, the victim was at a coffee shop in Serian at about 11.30am when he received a phone call from an individual claiming to be a friend he knew.

The caller allegedly asked to borrow RM20,000, claiming the money was needed to pay his workers’ salaries.

Believing the caller was his friend, the victim proceeded to make two money transfers over the counter at a bank to the bank account provided by the suspect.

However, he later discovered that the caller was not his friend but a scammer who had impersonated the latter’s identity.

Preliminary checks found that the phone number used by the suspect had no record in the mule account checking system, while the bank account involved had been linked to a police report in another district.

The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.

Police cautioned against easily believing claims of emergencies or urgent financial needs, and encouraged the public to check suspicious phone numbers and bank accounts through official channels before making transactions.

Those who fall victim to scams should immediately contact their respective banks and the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) at 997 for further assistance. – DayakDaily