KUANTAN: If you ever receive a call by a ‘Telekom Malaysia’ (TM) staff saying you are being investigated for online gambling, chances are you are being made a target by scammers.
Macau Scam syndicates, whose modus operandi included impersonating enforcement officers, court officials and bank staff, were found to have deployed new tactic, as discovered by Pahang Commercial Crime Investigation Department recently.
Its chief, Superintendent Mohd Wazir Mohd Yusof, said in the latest reported case, a 40-year-old medical assistant was made 5,050 poorer after falling victim to the syndicate on Sunday.
He said the woman received a call from a man who introduced himself as Jasmin Osman from TM.
“The suspect claimed that the victim had used the land line bearing number 03-7801 3698 which she had registered on July 23 for illegal online gambling.
“The call was then transferred to another suspect who introduced himself as Corporal Nizam Ibrahim after the victim denied the allegation,” he said in a statement today.
Mohd Wazir said the victim then spoke to an Inspector Firdaus who claimed that she was also involved in a fraud case.
“The victim also receive a WhatsApp message from number 016-728 7421 which contained a court order to have her arrested and assets frozen,” he said.
He said the suspect then instructed the victim to transfer all her money to a different account while the matter was being investigated.
“The victim made two transactions totalling RM5,050 to a bank account number given by the syndicate.
“She was asked to a picture of the bank deposit slip to the number and wait for the investigation to be completed (before receiving further notice). She was also warned against informing others about the case,” he said.
The victim, who became suspicious, told her husband about the incident before lodging a report at the Kuantan police district headquarters yesterday.
“The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code which carries a maximum 10-year imprisonment, whipping and fine upon conviction,” he said.