A HOUSEWIFE lost RM472,000 in a phone scam after fraudsters posing as government officials and law enforcement officers frightened her into transferring her personal savings to three bank accounts.
Kuala Terengganu district police chief Assistant Commissioner Azli Mohd Noor said the 46-year-old victim lodged a police report at about 10.30am yesterday.
He said the woman first received a call on Aug 5 from a person identifying himself as Mohd Farhan Jamil, who claimed to be from the Communications Ministry.
The caller allegedly accused her of involvement in spreading information about investment shares, government assistance and job opportunities before claiming to connect her to the Kajang district police headquarters.
“She then spoke to a syndicate member posing as Sergeant Andi, who instructed her to provide her identity card number before falsely informing her that she was involved in money laundering and that an arrest warrant had been issued against her,” he said.
Azli said the call was subsequently transferred to another person posing as a deputy public prosecutor, who identified herself as Zaleha.
The woman was allegedly told to make payments to resolve the case, with the money supposedly to be refunded after investigations were completed.
Fearing arrest, the victim made 21 transactions totalling RM472,000 to three different bank accounts between Aug 18 and Sept 19.
“After completing the transactions, the victim was asked to make a further payment of RM80,000, but she did not comply.
“She then realised she had been cheated and suffered losses amounting to RM472,000 before lodging a police report,” he said.
Azli said the money came from the victim’s personal savings and the case was being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating. - October 20, 2026