KUANTAN: A 59-year-old factory worker lost RM100,000 of his wife's death insurance benefit and Employees Provident Fund (EPF) contributions to a phone scam on Aug 18.
Pahang police chief Datuk Seri Yahaya Othman said the victim from Pekan had received a telephone call from an individual pretending to be a Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission officer.
"The caller told the victim that his mobile phone number was being investigated as it was linked to 27 scam cases.
"The call was transferred to another individual who said he was a police officer.
"The victim was told to transfer all his savings into a bank account for investigation purposes and deposit the cash by using the automated-teller machine. The victim made two transactions amounting to RM100,000 into the bank account provided by the suspect.
"The victim claimed that he had used the insurance and EPF money which he received after his wife's death," Yahaya said, adding that the case was being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.
Yahaya said the victim only realised that he had been cheated after the officer demanded for more money.
He lodged a police report yesterday.
Yahaya advised the public to be cautious of calls from strangers and always check on https://semakmule.rmp.gov.my before making any online cash transactions.