Sibu: A mechanic and housewife here lost RM551,448 in separate online business and phone scams recently. Sibu district police chief ACP Zulkipli Suhaili stated that police received reports from both victims yesterday and opened investigation papers under Section 420 of the Penal Code.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the mechanic, in his 40s, befriended a woman on Facebook on June 13 and was lured into a so-called part-time business involving the purchase and resale of women’s accessories through a website. From June 13 to July 28, he made 21 transfers amounting to RM317,048 into 10 bank accounts after being promised a 10 per cent commission. The victim later failed to access the website and realised he had been duped.

In the second case, a housewife in her 30s lost RM234,400 after receiving a call on Aug 1 from someone claiming to be from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, alleging her phone number was linked to money laundering. The call was later connected to another individual posing as a police officer. Out of fear, the victim followed all the instructions given, including disclosing her savings and pawning her gold. She was then told to transfer the money into several bank accounts. Between Aug 11 and 16, the victim made 20 transfers totalling RM234,400 into seven bank accounts after following the suspects’ instructions. Zulkipli said the woman only realised she was cheated when she could no longer contact the suspects.