Elderly Retiree in Perak Loses Over RM318,000 in Sophisticated Phone Scam

IPOH: A 74-year-old government retiree in Taiping has fallen victim to a highly coordinated phone scam, losing more than RM318,000 after being deceived by criminals posing as utility company staff and law enforcement officers.

According to Taiping district police chief Assistant Commissioner Mohamad Nasir Ismail, the victim lodged a police report at around 2pm on Friday (Dec 26) after discovering large sums of money missing from her accounts.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the woman received a phone call on Dec 2 from a man who claimed to represent Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB). The caller alleged that an electricity meter had been registered in her name for a house in Kuantan, Pahang, and urged her to lodge a police report there.

When the victim explained that she was residing in Taiping, the suspect offered to “assist” by connecting her to another individual who impersonated a police officer. The caller then falsely informed the victim that she was linked to a money laundering investigation and instructed her to fully cooperate to avoid legal consequences.

Police said the victim, overwhelmed by fear, complied with all instructions given. She was asked to provide personal details, disclose information about her bank savings, Amanah Saham Bumiputera (ASB) investments, and Tabung Haji account, and list her daily movements over a two-week period.

The suspects also instructed the victim to wrap her ATM card and jewelry and place them at a junction near her residence. She was further coerced into revealing her ATM PIN, allowing the scammers to access her funds.

Between Dec 10 and Dec 23, the victim unknowingly transferred her ASB savings into a bank account controlled by the syndicate. Upon checking her bank and Tabung Haji accounts on Dec 23, she discovered that all her funds had been withdrawn without her consent.

A review by the bank confirmed that the transactions were not carried out by the victim, leading her to suspect that she had been defrauded by a scam syndicate.

Police have classified the case under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating, and investigations are ongoing. Authorities have once again reminded the public—especially senior citizens—to be cautious of unsolicited calls and warned that legitimate agencies will never request personal banking information or instruct individuals to hand over ATM cards or valuables.