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MIRI – A bogus “Bukit Aman” cop had frightened an e-hailing driver here into parting with his life savings in what yet turned out to be another phone scam.
The driver, in his 40s, lodged a police report at the Sibu police station last night.
Sibu district police chief Zulkipli Suhaili said today that according to the driver’s report, he had been cheated out of RM78,590 by the bogus cop.
“The e-hailing driver in Sibu claimed in his report that he had recently received a call from a person who introduced himself as a Bukit Aman investigating officer.
“The driver said the caller told him that he is being investigated as his bank accounts had been used for illegal money transactions.
“The driver said the caller had instructed him to furnish all his personal information and bank account details for investigation purposes,” Zulkipli said.
The driver also said that the caller told him that he needed to transfer out all his money from his existing bank accounts while the probe was being carried out.
“The driver said the caller had promised him that he would be able to get back all his money once the investigation was done.
“The driver said that out of panic, he followed the caller’s advice and transferred all his savings of RM78,590.65 to three different bank accounts.
“However, shortly later, the driver rushed to lodge the police report after realising he had been scammed,” said Zulkipli.
The case is being probed under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.
The e-hailing driver’s case is among the latest in a slew of such cases in Sarawak involving scammers impersonating police officers and enforcement agencies’ personnel.
Other scammers’ modus operandi involve those offering lucrative investments and swindlers using social media platforms to lure victims. – The Vibes, July 27, 2023