KUANTAN: A university lecturer lost RM2.5 million when she "naively" revealed her bank account details to an "insurance agent".
To make matters worse, the 52-year-old victim from Kuantan also took a personal bank loan to pay the fraudsters.
Pahang police chief Datuk Yahaya Othman said the incident unfolded on Jan 22 when the victim received a phone call from an insurance agent claiming that the victim was involved in making false claims and money laundering.
"The suspect said he could assist her. He instructed her to open two new bank accounts for investigation purposes. She was told that the two temporary accounts were part of the investigation procedures.
"The suspect instructed the victim to transfer all her savings into the new bank accounts. The victim then transferred her savings and unit trust investment funds, but the suspect demanded for more cash to 'avoid legal action', prompting the victim to take a bank loan."
Yahaya said the victim was also coaxed into providing all her bank information, including pictures of her bank cards and online banking passwords.
He said the victim, who lost a total of RM2,576,781, only realised she had been cheated after she could no longer contact the insurance agent and the cash in the two new accounts were not returned to her.
He said the victim lodged a police report yesterday and the case was being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code.
Yahaya advised members of the public not to entertain suspicious phone calls and conduct checks at https://semakmule.rmp.gov.my before carrying out any transaction.