ROMPIN: A housewife was tricked into paying RM5,000 to a conman with promises to secure her brother's release, who was serving his jail sentence last month.
Impersonating as a police officer, the suspect told the victim that he could help release the victim's brother if she agreed to pay the cash but could no longer be contacted after the payment was done.
District police chief Deputy Superintendent Mohd Azahari Mukhtar said the incident unfolded on June 28 when the woman received a phone call from a man claiming to be a police officer attached to the Rompin police headquarters.
"The suspect told the victim that he could help with her brother's release and instructed her to pay the RM5,000, telling her to pick up the brother outside a financial institution in Muadzam Shah.
"The victim transferred RM5,000 into a bank account belonging to "Nur Ain Sarah", and when she tried contacting the suspect, her calls went unanswered.
"After her brother failed to return home, she lodged a police report at the Muadzam Shah police station on July 2," he said in a statement today.
He said the case was being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating, which provides a maximum jail term of 10 years, whipping, and a fine if convicted.
Azahari urged the public to contact the nearest police station if they receive a phone call from anyone claiming to be a policeman and not easily fall victim to con artists impersonating police officers.
It is learnt that the victim's brother, arrested in Muadzam Shah several months ago, is serving his prison sentence.