SHAH ALAM, July 8 — Selangor police have reminded the public to be wary of a syndicate of confidence tricksters who trick potential victims into divulging details of their bank accounts before fleecing them of the money.
Dubbed the ‘Macau Scam’, the group’s modus operandi was to pose as a bank officer and contact the targeted victim.
The ‘bank officer’ would then spin a tale that the victim’s personal information had been misused to apply for a credit card which had been used in some transactions.
When the victim falls for the story, South Klang police chief ACP Kamarul Zaman Mamat said, the syndicate member would ask the former to contact a telephone number, purportedly that of Bank Negara, to lodge a report.
He said that ‘number’ would be answered by another accomplice who would ask the victim to provide personal details, as well as bank information.
“The victim would then be told that his bank account would be frozen to facilitate investigations.
“Only after the victim had performed the transactions as instructed, would he realise that his money had been transferred to another account, without his realisation,” said Kamarul Zaman.
The police chief said the syndicate was currently targeting professionals like engineers, company directors and managers to fleece them of their money.
He said previously, the ‘Macau Scam’ had only focused on the Chinese community but of late, other communities had also fallen prey.
“From January until June, 154 police reports had been made, of which 19 involved losses amounting to RM686,198,” added Kamarul Zaman. — Bernama
