Retired Johor civil servant duped of RM308,000 in phone scam by fake ‘Sergeant Zuraidi’

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KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 21 — A retired civil servant lost RM308,000 after falling victim to a phone scam syndicate posing as police officers from the Petaling Jaya district police headquarters.

Johor Baru Selatan district police chief Assistant Commissioner Raub Selamat said the 69-year-old man received the first phone call at about 11am on June 3 while at his home in Kampung Melayu Majidee in Johor Bahru, according to Berita Harian today.

The caller, who introduced himself as “Sergeant Zuraidi” from the Petaling Jaya district police headquarters, accused the victim of being involved in money laundering and terrorism financing activities.

“Shortly after, the victim received another call from a different number, allegedly from a court office, instructing him to make payments to avoid imprisonment.

“Out of fear, the victim followed the suspect’s instructions and made 44 money transfers totalling RM308,000 to four different bank accounts between June 30 and October 9.

“Initial checks showed that the four accounts had no prior records of involvement in phone scam cases.

“The victim only realised he had been duped after being told to make additional transfers and began to feel suspicious about the calls he had received,” Raub said in a statement today.

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