Retiree Loses RM90,000 In Devastating Credit Card Scam

The scam began when Chen received a text message informing her that her credit card had been charged RM6,000.

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A 67-year-old retiree has fallen victim to a credit card scam, resulting in a loss of RM90,000 from her savings and fixed deposit.

The woman, identified as Chen, received a text message on 19 September, stating that her credit card had been charged RM6,000.

According to China Press, she was instructed to contact the bank to stop the transaction if she hadn’t authorized it.

The scammer provided Chen with a phone number supposedly from Bank Negara and assured her that an investigative team would assist in identifying the “spy” within the bank.

Chen was repeatedly instructed to comply with the scammer’s demands and provide her banking information or pay the RM6,000.

Fearing for her safety, she did as she was told.

Victim’s Desperate Call Goes Unanswered

After the scammer siphoned RM90,000 out of Chen’s bank account, she tried calling him but to no avail, leading her to lodge a police report.

According to Ong Chun Wei, the state assemblyman for Balakong, Chen was contacted by the bank regarding the unusual transfer.

However, despite Chen only responding with a simple “yes”, the bank proceeded with the transfer.

The funds were then divided into two separate transfers and deposited into different bank accounts, allegedly intended for real estate transactions.

Ong emphasized the importance of public awareness, reminding everyone that Bank Negara never initiates private communication through phone calls or WhatsApp.

He urged the public to remain cautious and vigilant against such deceptive tactics.

Scolded for Reporting Crime Due to Language Barrier

The victim claimed she was scolded for her limited understanding of Bahasa Melayu when she reported the crime which made her feel frustrated and helpless.

The incident allegedly took place at the Cheras Police Station.

According to Chen, she was scolded by a female police officer at the counter due to her inability to communicate in Malay.

However, her experience turned positive when she approached a Chinese police officer for help, and the female officer’s attitude immediately changed.

Scammers on the Prowl: Malaysia’s Soaring Online Fraud Cases Demand Vigilance

Scams have become increasingly prevalent in Malaysia, affecting individuals regardless of gender, education, or social status.

Everyone must remain vigilant and exercise caution when dealing with suspicious messages or calls.

The rise in scams in Malaysia has been a cause for concern, with online fraud cases increasing in recent years.

National Scam Response Center (NSRC) telah ditubuhkan.

Ini adalah kerjasama semua bank, polis dan Bank Negara. Semua wakil ini ditempatkan di satu center.

Buat sesiapa yang wang nya telah di scam oleh mana-mana pihak, boleh menghubungi 997, mereka boleh membantu anda. pic.twitter.com/U1OVK78SmW
— Khairul Hafidz (@khairul_hafidz) October 30, 2022

According to the Securities Commission, there has been a significant increase in online scam cases since 2020, with the number of fraud-related complaints rising by 100% between 2020 and 2022.

The police have also noted an upward trend in various types of online scams, including online sales, online trading, African, Macau, Business Email Compromise (BEC) scams, fake loans, and SMS scams.

These alarming statistics highlight the importance of staying cautious and adopting preventive measures to protect oneself from falling victim to scams.

Ada panggilan mencurigakan yang mengatakan ia daripada pihak berkuasa? Jangan kongsi maklumat peribadi anda!

Jika terkena scam, segera hubungi nombor hotline bank anda atau Pusat Respons Scam Kebangsaan di 997 (8am – 8pm, setiap hari) dan buat laporan polis.#JanganKenaScam pic.twitter.com/W32C2O4Ror
— AIBIM (@_AIBIM) September 28, 2023

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