Kuching Businessman Loses RM1 MILLION To Macau Scam After Just Answering 14-Second Phone Call

If you’ve read about the various ways scammers steal money from their victims’ bank accounts, it’s easy to believe that you’ll be safe as long as you don’t give away any confidential information. 

It’s also what a businessman in Sarawak, Mr Lee thought until he lost a whopping RM1 million from his Maybank personal savings account just because he answered a 14-second phone call from a scammer. 

In a press conference held yesterday, DAP politician Michael Kong said that the incident happened on Sunday (26 Feb) at around 3pm when Mr Lee first received an anonymous phone call from someone who claimed to be from Pos Laju. 

“The caller claimed that there was a package for him and asked Mr Lee for his bank’s OTP. Being a savvy businessman, he sensed something was wrong and so he hung up the call,” Kong told reporters.

“After the call, Mr Lee decided to check his account just to be sure and discovered that a whooping RM1 million was brazenly withdrawn from his Maybank account without his approval or authorisation.

“According to his bank’s records, this was transferred to Celcom Sdn Bhd,” Kong said, adding that the money was transferred out of Mr Lee’s bank account in two transactions of RM500,000. Mr Lee did not receive any OTP or notification for the transactions. 

Mr Lee then immediately reported the incident to Maybank and lodged a police report.

Banks are responsible

Expanding on the issue, Kong emphasized that the problem is with banks, not the victims, especially in Mr Lee’s case where the victim did not even download any malicious software and give away any confidential information. 

““Mr Lee was merely answering a phone call and yet RM1 million in his bank account was literally stolen from him,” he said.

“The system that our banks have is outdated. They have to step up on their security.”

Currently, Kong, who is a political aide to Stampin MP Chong Chieng Jen is helping Mr Lee to liaise with Celcom to trace the money and have it returned to him.

We hope swift action by the relevant authorities will be taken to help Mr Lee. Scams should not be taken lightly no matter the amount of money stolen.

Also read: 81 Foreigners Arrested For Running 24 Investment Fraud Bases Worth RM1 BILLION In Malaysia