Thursday, June 09, 2011

Published: Wednesday June 8, 2011 MYT 8:38:00 PM

Public warned about syndicate passing off as HK police

Be extremely careful when you remit money to another account, because the money remitted may never come back.


MALACCA: The state police have advised the public to beware of a fraud syndicate, which passes itself as the Hong Kong police and Bank Negara staff to cheat victims.

Explaining the modus operandi, state police chief SAC Datuk Chuah Gee Lye said that syndicate's members would introduce themselves as policemen from Bukit Aman and tell the intended victim that his identity has been used to launder money abroad.

They will ask the victim to contact the Hong Kong police using a number they give, Chuah told reporters here.

“On calling the number, the victim will be told that Bank Negara has been contacted. Shortly after that, he will receive a call from an officer, supposedly from Bank Negara, who will confirm that his account was used for illegal activity.

“The syndicate members will then advise their intended victim to transfer his money into another account if he does not want his funds to be frozen,” he added.

Chuah said that two cases had been reported in the state but the intended victims were lucky to escape from being cheated.

He advised members of the public who are similarly approached to contact the state Commercial Crime Investigation Department at 06-2854196.