Woman loses over RM1.3 million in elaborate Malaysian phone scam

LocalPersonal Finance
9 Feb 2026 • 12:29 PM MYT
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A 55-YEAR-OLD female assistant manager has been defrauded of more than RM1.3 million in a complex telephone scam that preyed on her fears of legal and financial investigation, authorities reported.

Pahang Police Chief Datuk Seri Yahaya Othman said the victim received a call from an unknown number on 11 December last year, purportedly from a parcel delivery company, informing her that she had received a package containing prohibited items.

“The call was then transferred to an individual impersonating a police officer,” Yahaya said.

“The suspect deceived the victim into believing that her bank savings needed to be investigated to identify the source of her funds, causing her to feel frightened and anxious.”

The victim was subsequently instructed to withdraw money from her Employees Provident Fund (KWSP) account and other investment accounts, and to deposit the funds into three bank accounts provided by the fraudsters.

“She made five transfers to these accounts between 24 December 2025 and 4 January 2026, amounting to a total of RM1,313,210,” Yahaya confirmed. The woman only realised she had been defrauded after she was unable to contact the suspects, whose phone numbers had been blocked. The case is currently being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code.

Yahaya advised the public to exercise extreme caution when receiving suspicious calls, urging individuals to verify claims directly with police or relevant government agencies before making any financial transactions.

He also recommended that the public check the authenticity of any bank accounts via the Royal Malaysia Police’s Semak Mule portal at [https://semakmule.rmp.gov.my](https://semakmule.rmp.gov.my) and contact the National Scam Response Centre at 997 immediately if they suspect they have been targeted.

“This incident serves as a stark reminder of the sophistication of current fraud schemes, and the importance of verifying information before acting under pressure,” he added. - February 9, 2026