KUCHING, SARAWAK: A 72-year-old local woman is the latest victim of a phone scam syndicate, suffering a staggering loss of RM1.3 million.
Kuching District Police Chief, ACP Alexson Naga Chabu, confirmed the incident, stating the victim reported receiving a fraudulent call on July 31, 2025.
Modus Operandi
The scam began when an unidentified individual, claiming to be from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), contacted the victim.
- The initial suspect informed the victim that her phone number was linked to a criminal case.
- The call was then immediately transferred to a second suspect, who introduced himself as Sergeant Tan from the Terengganu Police Contingent Headquarters (IPK).
- The victim was subsequently instructed to transfer funds to seven different bank accounts across 14 separate transactions, allegedly for “investigation purposes.”
The total amount transferred by the victim reached RM1,300,200. The woman only realized she had been duped after being contacted by her husband.
Police Action and Wider Impact
The case is currently being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.
ACP Alexson highlighted the prevalence of this scam type in the district, noting that the Commercial Crime Investigation Division of Kuching District Police Headquarters (IPD) has opened 92 investigation papers utilizing the same modus operandi.
The total recorded losses related to this type of phone scam in Kuching alone have reached RM5.97 million between January and November 16, 2025.
HackWarn Alert
1. Law Enforcement Never Asks for Transfers: Genuine police, MCMC, or government agencies will never demand or instruct you to transfer money for investigation, verification, or “tax” purposes.
2. Be Wary of Call Transfers: Scammers frequently use call forwarding between multiple fake identities (e.g., MCMC to Police Sergeant) to establish false credibility and urgency.
3. Verify Identity Independently: If you receive a call claiming criminal involvement, hang up immediately. Call the official organization (Police or MCMC) back using a number found on their official website or documentation. Never use a number provided by the caller.
4. The Power of Isolation: Scammers work to keep the victim isolated and panicked. The victim realized the scam only after being contacted by her husband; always consult family or trusted friends before making large, urgent transfers.
5. Urgency is a Scam Tactic: Immediate demands for multiple large transfers across different accounts signal fraud. Legitimate investigations do not operate this way.
6. Protect Your Finances: The use of multiple bank accounts suggests the money is being quickly laundered. Never transfer money to unfamiliar, individual accounts based on a phone call.
Source: TVS
