KUALA LUMPUR: An 80-year-old widow fell victim to an online scam after developing feelings for a man who claimed to resemble a celebrity.
The scammer managed to deceive the woman into willingly parting with RM30,000 from her retirement savings.
According to a China Press report, the man told the widow that he had lost RM200 million worth of gold and even threatened to take his own life.
This prompted the elderly woman to surrender all her savings to help him.
The widow reportedly met the man online a few months ago.
He introduced himself as a young singer and livestreamer from China, sharing photos and videos that depicted a charming individual bearing a striking resemblance to a well-known Chinese celebrity.
The widow's son said the family uncovered the scam a few months ago after noticing that his mother frequently visited a convenience store to purchase virtual game credits.
Upon questioning her, they learned about her alleged relationship with the so-called "internet celebrity" from China.
Despite her family's attempts to intervene, the widow remained convinced that the man was a wealthy and attractive individual who had temporarily fallen on hard times.
"Since my mother was completely convinced, the family had no choice but to secretly block the scammer's number on her phone. However, he soon found alternative ways to contact her," the son said.
When her savings ran out, the scammer persuaded the woman to borrow money from friends.
When confronted by her family, she defended her actions by claiming she was merely lending money to a friend in need.
The family estimates that she had lost at least RM30,000, though they suspect the actual amount may be higher.
Convenience store employees noticed the widow repeatedly purchasing virtual game credits and tried to warn her about the suspicious behaviour.
However, she dismissed their concerns, insisting that the purchases were for her grandson.
The widow's son has since urged the public to monitor their elderly family members closely to prevent them from falling victim to similar love scams and hopes his mother's experience serves as a cautionary tale.