Kuching man loses RM104,310 after falling for WhatsApp scam from friend’s hijacked account

A 49-year-old man in Kuching lost RM104,310 due to a WhatsApp scam last week, according to Kuching police chief ACP Alexson Naga Chabu. The victim received a message from what appeared to be a friend asking for help with a payment for an item purchase. Trusting the message, the victim made four transfers between August 13 and 15, totaling RM104,310.

On August 15, the victim was informed by his friend that his WhatsApp account had been hacked and he did not request the transfers. The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code, which deals with cheating and dishonestly inducing the delivery of property, carrying a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison, caning, and a fine upon conviction.

The police advise the public to be vigilant against such scams by not providing any personal or banking information to unknown individuals, conducting prior checks before making payments to a third party, and checking suspicious accounts and phone numbers via the Semak Mule PDRM link.