Maran durian orchard operator loses RM202,460 in lottery scam
KUANTAN: A 63-year-old durian orchard operator from Bandar Jengka, Maran, lost RM202,460 in a lottery scam after dipping into her savings and pawning her jewellery in an attempt to claim a purported RM1.2 million prize.
A 63-year-old durian orchard operator from Bandar Jengka, Maran, has lost RM202,460 in a lottery scam, according to the Pahang police.
The scam reportedly began on November 25 last year, when the victim encountered a Facebook video featuring a monk from southern Thailand who claimed to offer financial fortune-telling services. The victim reached out to the monk, who instructed her to purchase a lottery ticket in hopes of winning a grand prize.
Following the monk's advice, the victim was directed to an agent in Kelantan to make the required payments. The agent subsequently informed the victim that she had won RM1.2 million.
The agent then demanded various payments, including bank processing fees and cross-border transfer taxes, before allegedly releasing the winnings. The victim made 12 transactions amounting to RM202,460 to six bank accounts between December 23 last year and May 22 this year. However, she received no winnings and subsequently reported the matter to the police.
The case is currently under investigation under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating. The Pahang police chief, Datuk Azry Akmar Ayob, advised the public to exercise caution regarding lottery offers, lucky-number predictions, and promises of lucrative prizes on social media.
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