A man in his late 20s lost RM98,900 in savings from Tabung Haji after receiving a scam call purportedly from the Inland Revenue Board (IRB) two weeks ago.
On July 19, the victim, who wishes to be known as F, claimed to have received a call from the IRB over unpaid corporate taxes that amounted to RM29,600.90.
During the “warning” call, he was told by the scammer he would be connected to the Kuala Terengganu district police to avoid being blacklisted and have legal action taken against him.
F was then allegedly connected to the district police, who asked him to confirm the district headquarters’ telephone number via a Google search.
He then spoke to an individual claiming to be Sergeant Syahrizan Mansur from the Kuala Terengganu district police.
“The ‘police’ asked me to bring a power bank, drive my car out to somewhere that was empty and quiet, park, and remain in the car as the officer wanted to make an official police report and record the telephone call clearly.
“The scammer also informed me that I was subject to the Official Secrets Act 1972 and could be imprisoned and instructed me not to inform anyone and that my family were also threatened.
“This made me feel very scared,” said F at a live press conference today.
The “sergeant” allegedly asked the victim to disclose his particulars - which included his IC number and full name - to “verify with Bukit Aman” that the victim’s details were not being abused.
F was then “investigated” for three hours and asked by the scammers to have all his savings “audited” by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), requiring him to report all bank accounts and funds he possessed.
This included savings in Amanah Saham Bumiputera, Tabung Haji, and fixed deposits.
Additionally, he was told to purchase a new Android phone and install an app “linked to BNM”. In the app, he disclosed his banking details - however, this did not include his ASB and Tabung Haji savings.
The next day, he was instructed to withdraw his ASB savings through an interbank transfer for the purpose of an “audit” conducted by BNM, prompting him to make two transactions amounting to RM40,000.
He discovered a few days later that RM98,900 was withdrawn to third-party accounts from his Tabung Haji account over two days.
It was observed that in two transactions, F’s Bank Islam account was utilised to move RM20,000 and RM18,900 respectively to third-party accounts unknown to the victim.
Didn’t receive TAC/OTP
Speaking to reporters today, F, who was dressed inconspicuously in a black sports cap and sunglasses, questioned how his ordeal played out.
“I checked with all my banks regarding my current banking phone number and found that the phone number on their system is the same as my current phone number.
“How can a syndicate make a transaction without receiving a TAC/OTP number? I didn't receive any TAC/OTP number during the money transfer,” said F.
According to F, he claimed he has yet to hear back from the police on any developments surrounding his case.
He said he was previously told by the police investigating officer that the banks can only respond with the details of the account which received the syphoned money after one or two months.
“This is one of the reasons why it is difficult for the police to act,” he told reporters at the PKR headquarters in Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
BNM a paper tiger?
PKR central leadership council member Lee Chean Chung today stressed the severity of the issue.
On the investigation of the victim’s case, he criticised the banks for only being able to provide the required details after several months.
“Isn't this period of one or two months too unreasonable and will complicate the investigation work of the enforcement authorities?
“Is Bank Negara Malaysia negligent in making regulators so that banking institutions are always equipped with the latest security technology?” asked the PKR treasurer.
He pointed out that financial institutions under government statutory bodies play an important role to protect the public.
“Compared to private banks, government or government-related financial institutions bear a higher trust in safeguarding and protecting people's property and savings.
“In this case, it is clear that the syndicates are no longer afraid of BNM, which is only considered a paper tiger,” he added.
Last month, BNM was urged by Lee to do more to address financial fraud, which he said has been on the rise.
In the letter to the BNM governor, sighted by Malaysiakini, four suggestions were made:
Ensure commercial banks set up a financial fraud assistance unit
Facilitate a mechanism of compensation if the banks were found to be liable
Enhance collaboration with law enforcement agencies such as the police, Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, and the Finance Ministry by setting up a task force led by BNM
Discuss with the attorney-general to review outdated laws to better respond to digital financial fraud - Mkini
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