A 56-year-old female clerk from Sarawak fell victim to a ruthless love scam, losing a staggering RM1.06 million. The incident came to light after she reported the scam to the Sibu police.
The unfortunate saga began when the woman, whose identity has not been disclosed, crossed paths with a man named 'Thomas Yeng Leong' on Facebook during the middle of the previous year. The two quickly struck up an online romance, with the man claiming to be an engineer based in London. The relationship eventually moved to WhatsApp, and this is where the scam started to unfold.
Leveraging her trust, the cunning scammer concocted a story that he needed her assistance to make payments for chemicals essential to his work. Believing she was helping a genuine love interest, the victim transferred a total of RM395,000 to five different bank accounts between August and September 2022. However, the scam took an even darker turn when the man promised to visit Malaysia but was allegedly detained in Thailand for carrying excess US dollars. A fake "Customs officer" contacted the victim, stating that a fine was required to secure his release.
Trusting the lies she was fed, the victim transferred an additional RM255,000 to three different bank accounts between September and October. With her emotions invested and love blinding her judgment, she continued to be ensnared in the scam. Between May 2023 and the end of July, she made a staggering 36 money transfer transactions, totaling approximately RM414,000, to 16 different bank accounts. These funds were supposedly meant for the suspect's work-related expenses, dating endeavors in Malaysia, and emergencies.
It was only when the scammer relentlessly requested more money for various reasons that the woman finally realized she had been deceived. The painful truth hit her hard, leaving her emotionally and financially shattered.
As news of the scam emerged, Sarawak deputy commissioner of police, Datuk Mancha Ata, assured the public that the case is being thoroughly investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code, which pertains to cheating.
Love scams can happen to anyone, and it is crucial to educate ourselves and our loved ones about the warning signs to avoid falling victim to such emotional and financial devastation.
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Source: The Star
