A WOMAN who works in the private sector lost RM53,000 after falling victim to a Macau scam syndicate on Friday.

Seberang Perai Utara district police chief ACP Noorzainy Mohd Noor said the 40-year-old woman received a call from a man claiming to be an Inland Revenue Board officer who told her that a company registered in her name had tax arrears amounting to RM32,800.

He said the victim was then connected to another suspect who claimed to be a police officer from the Malacca police contingent.

The suspect then told the victim that her personal information had been misused by other parties, before instructing her to make payments to launch an investigation on the matter.

“The victim who had panicked followed the instructions of the bogus police officer who told her not to tell anyone about the matter. She transferred RM53,000 to three accounts provided by the suspect,” he said.

Noorzainy said the victim only realised she had been duped when she confided in her friend after failing to contact the suspect.

The victim lodged a police report yesterday. Investigations are underway, including tracking down the owners of the three accounts used by the syndicate.

The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating, he added. – Bernama, September 26, 2021.