KUALA LUMPUR: A 90-year-old retiree was poorer by RM3.83 million after the victim was believed to have been duped by a Macau scam syndicate.
The nonagenarian became a victim after receiving a call from an individual claiming to be a staff of Pos Laju Malaysia. The individual informed the senior citizen that there was a package sent from Ipoh, Perak, to Sabah containing the victim's identity card and his ATM card, dated April 13.
The call was then forwarded to two other individuals who claimed to be a Police Sargeant and a Police Inspector respectively.
Petaling Jaya police chief Assistant Commissioner Nik Ezanee Mohd Faisal said the two suspects claimed to be attached with the Commercial Crime Investigation Department, Perak Police Contingent Headquarters.
"The victim was told he was involved in a money laundering syndicate and that his personal details were allegedly used by a 72-year-old man, a former bank employee, who had been arrested.
"The victim was also threatened with being arrested and remanded for 45 days if the matter was revealed to others," he said in a statement today.
He said the victim, who was worried about the threat, followed the instructions of the suspect by transferring his savings into seven different company accounts.
"The transfer of money was made in stages with the first transaction taking place on April 20 and the last on June 15.
"All the money transferred amounted to RM3.83 million. However, after he realised the fraud, the victim immediately lodged a police report yesterday," said Nik Ezanee.
He said the police were investigating and were tracking down all the suspects involved.
"We advise the public not to be fooled by the deception and threats received from unknown quarters.
"The public is also advised to contact the police immediately if they receive such phone calls," he said, adding that the latest modus operandi of fraudulent syndicates was targeting the elderly who were less exposed to information on cybercrime including the Macau Scam.