TRICKED into thinking she would be sent to the gallows over “serious crimes”, a businessman lost RM118,880 to a syndicate in Teluk Intan.

Hilir Perak district police chief Ahmad Adnan Basri said a man posing as an Inland Revenue Board officer called the 48-year-old female victim on September 14.

The suspect claimed that the woman had arrears amounting to RM58,982, which she denied.

“The suspect then asked the victim to lodge a police report online, saying the victim’s name was misused by a man who accused her of conspiring with him to launder money and smuggle drugs.

“The suspect then connected the victim to a ‘Corporal Iskandar’ and asked for RM98,000 for the purpose of the investigation, assuring her the money would be returned after the investigation was completed,” he said in a statement today.

Adnan also said another suspect disguised as “Sergeant Redzwa” interrogated the victim and claimed the woman could face the gallows and whipping for allegedly committing a serious crime.

“This ‘Sergeant Redzwan’ contacted the woman again on September 15, asking her to declare all her assets. The victim also received a call from another suspect posing as ‘Datuk SAC Amirul’ asking the victim to take a picture of the victim’s husband’s bank card.

“On the same day, the victim withdrew money from Amanah Saham Bumiputera amounting to RM21,500 and deposited the money into a bank account bearing the name of Rokih. The victim made seven transactions to the same bank account,” he said.

He added that the victim was contacted again by “Datuk SAC Amirul” on Monday who instructed her to pawn her jewellery, which she did, for RM97,380.

“The victim was also duped by ‘Datuk SAC Amirul’ to transfer her entire savings and the money from the jewellery, totalling RM118,880, to three local financial institutions,” he said.

He said the victim then told her husband about the matter as she was in a state of fear and anxiety before lodging a police report at 1.49pm yesterday. – Bernama, September 20, 2023.