KUALA LUMPUR - Scammers are opting for a new tactic by making video calls to victims before convincing them to transfer their funds, the Malaysian police said on March 27.
Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department director Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf said a total of 34 police reports had been lodged involving losses of about RM1 million (S$285,000) in 2023, based on this new tactic dubbed e-reporting scam.
“A total of 14 police reports were lodged this year with losses reaching RM960,500,” he told a press conference on March 27.
Datuk Seri Ramli said the victim would first get a call from a person claiming to be from a courier company.
“The caller will create a situation where the victim will panic and follow all orders,” he said.
The call will then be connected to another syndicate member posing as a policeman through a video call, he said.
“Through the video call, the victim will be convinced into lodging an online report (e-reporting) and interact with a ‘police officer’ who is standing at a location with a background mimicking a police station.
“With such a backdrop, the victim will feel safe and give all information before transferring their funds,” he said.
Mr Ramli reminded the people to be careful and not be easily duped by this method.
“We will not use video calls to receive police reports or conduct investigations.
“All investigation process will be conducted in person at any police station or premises owned by the police force,” he said.
Mr Ramli said e-reporting was developed by the police force to enable the public to lodge non-criminal reports online.
“It is limited to lodging reports on missing documents or belongings and not connected to criminality,” he said.
In another case, the police are investigating a case where a man claimed he was cheated in a real estate deal by a lawyer with the title of Datuk.
Mr Ramli said the department received a report on the matter on March 16.
“According to the complainant, he met the lawyer in November last year and decided to hire the law firm to handle the sale of his land in Sepang,” he said.
The land was sold for RM1.4 million and the victim received RM381,110, he said.
“The suspect was supposed to manage the proceeds from the sale to settle payment to the Inland Revenue Board and hand over the balance to the victim.
“However, until now, the suspect has failed to do so,” he said.
In another case, Mr Ramli said the department has opened five investigation papers in connection with an investment scam using the name of Sabah Small and Medium Industry.
“The scheme has resulted in RM745,685 losses since January. The scheme promises RM1mil returns for every RM1,000 invested,” he said.
Mr Ramli advised the public to get reliable information from official sources such as the SemakMule portal, Alert List Bank Negara Malaysia and the Securities Commission before making any investment. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
