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A 51-year-old single mother and civil servant recently fell victim to a love scam, resulting in a loss of RM148,200. The incident, which took place earlier this month, prompted her to file a police report with the Setiu District Police.
Setiu District police chief Mohd Zain Mat Dris explained that the woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, first received a Facebook message in early June from a man using the alias Azli Ahmad. The profile featured a picture of a pilot, adding to the deception. After initial communication on Facebook, they continued their conversation on WhatsApp.
The scammer, posing as Azli Ahmad, gained the victim's trust and offered to send her a package as a token of their friendship. The purported gift included items like a handbag, watch, shoes, and US$10,000 (equivalent to RM47,127) intended for donation to orphans. This gesture was designed to solidify their relationship and manipulate the victim's emotions.
On June 14, the victim was contacted by someone claiming to be a delivery agent. This individual informed her of difficulties in sending the package and requested payment for import duty and delivery charges. Trusting the request, the victim made 23 separate cash transactions to various accounts between June 14 and the day she reported the crime, totalling RM148,200.
In addition to the financial demands, the victim was coerced through threats and accusations of involvement in criminal activities. Fearful of the repercussions, she complied with the scammer's demands. Chief Mohd Zain confirmed that the case is currently being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code, which deals with cheating and dishonestly inducing the delivery of property.
This incident highlights the growing prevalence of online scams and the sophisticated methods used by perpetrators to exploit victims. Authorities urge the public to exercise caution when interacting with strangers online and to verify the authenticity of individuals before engaging in financial transactions. The police continue to investigate the matter and work towards preventing such scams in the future.
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