KOTA BHARU, Sept 22 2026 — A company investment manager lost about RM1.2 million after a scam syndicate tricked her over the phone in Kota Bharu last July.
Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat said the victim, a single mother in her 50s, received a call from someone posing as an authority and claiming she was involved in a money laundering case.
Out of fear, she followed the suspect’s instructions, withdrawing money from her bank accounts, including her Employees Provident Fund (EPF) savings, and pawning and selling jewellery worth nearly RM500,000.
“Most concerningly, the woman took about two months before lodging a police report, after all her money had been withdrawn and handed over to the perpetrators.
“She knew that she was not involved in money laundering, but because she was so frightened, she did not tell her family members or the police,” he said at a press conference after the monthly assembly at the Kelantan contingent police headquarters (IPK) today.
Mohd Yusoff said the syndicate used application spoofing technology so the incoming number appeared to be from the police, including the Kelantan IPK telephone number.
Police detected about 68 calls a day using the Kelantan IPK number. The matter is under investigation.
“Neither the police nor agencies such as Bank Negara Malaysia will call members of the public and instruct them to withdraw money or open a new account.
“If you receive such a call, hang up and contact the relevant agency through its official channels to verify the matter,” he said.
Police have sought assistance from Bukit Aman to track those believed to be involved.
The incident began about two months before a report was lodged recently. Mohd Yusoff said it was among the largest individual losses recorded in Kelantan this year.
He added that Kelantan police would intensify awareness campaigns through the media to curb commercial crime, which continues to rise year-on-year.
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