RAUB: A dental therapist here lost RM26,300 after being cheated by the Macau scam syndicate when two men disguised as a customs officer and a policeman approached the victim alleging that he was involved in drug cases and money laundering.
State Commercial Crime Investigation Department chief Superintendent Mohd Wazir Mohd Yusof said the incident was reported on Thursday when the victim was contacted by a suspect who disguised himself as a Customs officer at Bukit Kayu Hitam, Kedah.
"The suspect alleged that the victim had a Goods and Services Tax (GST) amounting to RM16,702.38. When the victim denied this, he was asked to lodge a complaint to two other suspects who disguised as police officers from Kedah Police Contingent Headquarters (IPK).
"These two suspects allegedly made a check of the details of the victim and found he was involved in drug abuse cases and money laundering," he said when contacted here today.
He said the victim was told to open a CIMB Bank account to enable his savings to be audited by the appointed auditor.
"On Friday, around 2pm, the victim opened the CIMB Bank account and then deposited RM 26,400 into the account.
"The victim was contacted by another suspect who posed as a police officer asking him to submit details of a joint account regarding the ATM card security number.
"On the same day, there were three transactions to another account totalling of RM26,300. The victim was later informed that the money will be returned the next day (Saturday)," he said.
Wazir said on Saturday the victim checked his bank account and found the money had been withdrawn.
The victim then lodged a police report at the Raub District Police Headquarters (IPD).
The case was being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating and police were trying to trace the suspects, he said.