KUANTAN: An elderly woman lost RM26,500 of her savings after she was duped by two men into buying a plot of land at Kampung Sepat near here.
The 72-year-old victim had met a middleman at a restaurant here in July who claimed that he would arrange for her to meet a land broker to secure the deal to purchase 6ha of land.
Pahang Commercial Crime Investigation Department chief Superintendent Mohd Wazir Mohd Yusof said after meeting the “broker”, the victim agreed to buy the piece of land for RM50,000.
“She started making payments for the land in stages to both the men and had paid a total of RM26,500 while the balance will be settled once she receives the necessary documents and land.
“She was promised the land title some two weeks after she completed the payment.
“However, the woman became upset when she did not receive the title as promised and was kept waiting without answers. She decided to lodge a police report yesterday so that the authorities will help track down the men involved in the scam.”
Meanwhile, in another incident, a 23-year-old technician lost RM2,200 after providing his bank details, including Transaction Authorisation Code (TAC) to a suspected conman yesterday.
Wazir said the victim was at his workplace when he received a phone call from a bogus court officer in Johor claiming that he had RM10,336 outstanding credit card balance.
“When he denied that he owned a credit card, the call was transferred to a ‘policeman’ who claimed the victim’s account was used for money laundering activities.
“The victim was told to share his online banking details, including username, password and TAC number for investigation purposes.
“Fearing his safety, the victim adhered to the suspect's instructions. Later when he checked his bank account, the victim realised RM2,200 had been transferred to a third party,” he said, adding that the victim later lodged a police report.
Wazir said both cases were being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating, which provides for a maximum jail term of 10 years and whipping, and a fine if convicted.