Kuala Terengganu: A 61-year-old pensioner lost RM108,000 after falling victim to a phone scam syndicate recently. Kuala Terengganu police chief ACP Azli Mohd Noor stated that the victim was contacted on January 10 by a suspect who posed as an insurance representative. This individual alleged that her name had been misused in a fraudulent insurance claim amounting to RM63,000.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the victim was then transferred to another member of the syndicate who impersonated a police officer. This second scammer claimed that an arrest warrant had been issued against her for money laundering. Under the guise of helping her clear her name, the scammer instructed her to open a new bank account and provide the details.

In fear of arrest, the victim moved RM45,000 from her Tabung Haji account into the new account. She also secured a personal loan of RM50,000 and deposited it as directed by the scammer. Additionally, she completed three more transactions totaling RM13,000 to two different accounts, culminating in a total loss of RM108,000.

Once she realized she had been deceived, the pensioner filed a police report yesterday. The case is now under investigation under Section 420 of the Penal Code.