A SENIOR citizen lost RM1.03 million to a Macau scam syndicate, which began when the victim received a call from a man claiming to be from the Inland Revenue Board.

Johor police chief Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said the 69-year-old woman alleged she received a call from a man, claiming that she was involved in money laundering activities early this month.

“The call was then connected to another person known as Mr Yong, who was masqueraded as a police officer,” he said in a statement today.

“Due to fear, the woman followed the person’s instructions to open a bank account in her name and provided him with the account’s automated teller machine card serial number and personal identification number.”

Ayob said the woman made a series of money transfers from five bank accounts belonging to her to the new account totalling RM1.03 million between September 3 and 17.

“The woman also handed over the six-digit TAC (transaction authorisation code) number she received to the man,” he said.

The woman lodged a police report yesterday after realising she had been duped and found that the bank account was empty, he said, adding the case is being investigated under section 420 of the penal code.

Ayob urged the public to be more aware of the current crime trends, especially those involving online transactions. He advised them to use the mobile application, Semak Mule, to check suspected telephone numbers or bank accounts. – Bernama, September 22, 2021.