KUALA LUMPUR: An assistant branch manager named Siti from Maybank's Kampung Baru, Penang, branch helped save a customer from losing RM150,000 through a phone scam.
Siti stepped in upon realising that government contract worker Fatimah was being scammed and helped her file a case report with the bank, swiftly freezing her account to safeguard her hard-earned money.
This was despite relentless attempts by the scammer to disrupt the proceedings with incessant calls.
In a statement, Maybank said Fatimah received a phone call purportedly from the bank, alleging her involvement in an unauthorised transactions and illicit mule account activities.
"The caller orchestrated a series of manipulative phone calls to individuals posing as representatives from various enforcement and regulatory agencies, including the Royal Malaysia Police and Bank Negara Malaysia," the bank said in a statement.
The call lasted for more than four hours and Fatimah was told to withdraw RM150,000 from her saving accounts at the Kampung Baru branch.
Fatimah said the teller at the branch asked her the purpose of withdrawal but the scammer had instructed her to lie and state that the monies were for house renovation purposes.
The branch's assistant manager only known as Siti took action upon realising that Fatimah may be a victim of a scam. Maybank protected customers from losing RM6.4 million to financial scams via branch channels in 2023.
In the event that a customer suspects that they have been scammed, they should immediately call the National Scam Resource Centre hotline at 997 or Maybank's 24/7 Fraud hotline at 03-5891 4744 for assistance.