PETALING JAYA: A company director has lost RM1.25 million after falling victim to a love scam syndicate.
Bukit Aman commercial crime investigation department (CCID) director Ramli Yoosuf said the 60-year-old woman had met a man on Facebook, adding that he had claimed he was a Singaporean living in the United Kingdom, Sinar Harian reported.
He said the man had arranged to meet the director, saying he was coming to Malaysia to bid for a project from an oil and gas company.
“The man asked the woman to lend him a large sum of money to bid for the project, promising that it would be returned.
“The victim then made 11 cash transfers worth a total of RM1,256,000 to two bank accounts,” he was quoted as saying.
He added that the case was being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property, which is punishable with imprisonment from one to 10 years, whipping, and a fine.
Ramli added that between January and June this year, 349 love scam cases have been reported with losses totalling RM12,821,122.53.
He said 792 love scam cases were recorded in 2022, involving losses totalling RM56,273,793.56.
He also said the number rose to 935 cases last year, with losses totalling RM43,920,299.
