MIRI – A civil servant in Miri has lost an eye‑watering RM200,000 after falling for a phone‑call hoax carried out by crooks pretending to be officers from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and the police.
According to Miri District Police Chief ACP Mohd Farhan Lee Abdullah, the Commercial Crime Investigation Division received the victim’s report earlier today. The woman, who works for the government, said she was contacted by two different mobile numbers. The callers coolly accused her of laundering money through a bank account supposedly under her name.
When the victim denied any wrongdoing, the impostors turned up the pressure. They insisted that her account had been misused by an insider banker and that she must “co‑operate” to catch the culprit. The scammers told her to do three things:
- Take out a personal loan of RM220,000.
- Provide her online‑banking credentials.
- Stay quiet while they “tracked” the crooked banker.
Trusting the so‑called authorities, she followed every step. By the time she checked her balance, RM200,000 had vanished.
Police are investigating the case under Section 420 of the Penal Code. If caught and convicted, the fraudsters face one to ten years’ jail, whipping, and a possible fine.
Old‑fashioned wisdom still applies
This crime highlights an age‑old truth: never hand over money or personal details to strangers, even when they claim to be powerful officials. As scams grow more sophisticated, Malaysians must pair traditional caution with modern tools.
Stay one step ahead:
- Verify every call. Hang up, then ring the real agency directly.
- Check numbers and bank accounts at semakmule.rmp.gov.my before moving any cash.
- Report suspicious activity immediately to the National Scam Response Centre (997).
- Talk to family and colleagues. A quick chat often exposes a lie.
ACP Farhan urged the public to “stay alert, trust your instincts, and remember that genuine officers will never demand loans, passwords, or secret transfers.”
As internet banking becomes the norm, crooks will keep testing the limits. But with clear heads, careful verification, and swift reporting, Malaysians can protect the earnings they’ve worked so hard to build.
