Two suspects operating in Sabah must have been shocked when Malacca police managed to track down their “hoax call” asking a woman to deposit money to them or risk having her assets sealed in court.
The two men, in their 20s, were arrested after they withdrew money from a bank in Kota Kinabalu.
Malacca Commercial Crimes Investigation Department Chief Supt Sum Chang Keong said with the arrests, police have solved the first “phone hoax” case in the country.
Last month, the victim, a woman in her 40s had received a call from a person claiming to be a representative from a court in Malacca.
“The person said that she had to appear in court immediately for a case but the woman was unable to attend, given the short period notice.
“Later, she was again contacted by the man, this time offering to help her but first she had to deposit RM10,000 into a bank account to ensure that her assets would not be sealed by the court,” said Supt Sum in a press conference on Monday.
The suspect even promised that the money would be returned once he managed to “settle the case” on her behalf.
Supt Sum said the victim then deposited the money but decided to lodge a police report when the suspect did not call up anymore.
He said the state police then contacted the Sabah police to tell them about the case and the two men were apprehended four days later.
Supt Sum advised the public to double check with the relevant authorities directly when they are given information over the phone, mail or in SMSes.-Source,TheStar
