SIPITANG: A teacher lost RM254,600 after being deceived by a Macau Scam syndicate.
The 30-year-old victim fell victim to phone calls in which two individuals posed as an Inland Revenue Board (IRB) officer and a police officer with the rank of Sergeant.
Sipitang District Police Chief Deputy Superintendent Champin Piuh said the scam unfolded when the victim received a phone call from an individual claiming to be an IRB officer, on March 14.
He said the victim was shocked on hearing that he allegedly had tax arrears amounting to RM38,500.90 in the name of a company registered in his name.
"The call was then connected to a police sergeant from the Kuala Lumpur Contingent Police Headquarters.
"During the conversation, the victim was informed that there was a bank account related to illegal funds amounting to RM312,000," he said in a statement.
According to him, the victim was then asked to submit bank information for account investigation under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLA).
He said, from March 14 to March 26, the victim was instructed to transfer money into six different bank accounts.
"The victim only realised that he had been deceived on March 30 and lodged a police report.
"The report was also made after the victim feared that all documents and his identity would be misused," he said.
Champin said the victim suffered a loss of RM254,600 and further investigations were underway under Section 420 of the Penal Code.