Bukit Aman, Bank Negara block RM28.3mil transaction in compromised email scam

Bukit Aman managed to track down and block some RM28.3mil in funds transferred in a business email compromise (BEC) scam.

Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) Comm Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf said the department received the report on the BEC scam on July 6.

"The victim's company, which is based in Malaysia, has been dealing with an overseas company to acquire Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) since early this year.

"In June, the victim's company received instructions from the supposed supplier's company to transfer funds to a new account. Believing it, the victim's company transferred a huge sum.

"They only realised they were duped when the actual supplier informed them that they had not received payment," he said in a statement on Monday (July 10).

With the assistance of Bank Negara, the CCID managed to track down the RM28.3mil being transferred to an overseas account and blocked the transaction, Comm Ramli said.

"We are still investigating under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating," he said.

Comm Ramli reminded the public, especially businessmen, who use email daily to be careful.

"Verify the email received is actually from the actual buyer or seller.

"Be wary if there is suddenly an instruction to transfer to a new account.

"Contact the company you are dealing with directly by phone to verify," he said. - Star