Man pawns gold, loses RM3,250 chasing fake RM225,000 winnings
KUALA LUMPUR: A 65-year-old man lost RM3,250 to lottery scammers who promised him RM225,000 in winnings before threatening to track him down at his home.
KUALA LUMPUR: A 65-year-old man, Ling, lost RM3,250 after falling for a lottery scam on Facebook. Promised RM225,000 in winnings, the scammers told Ling to purchase 20 four-digit lottery tickets with the number 8982. They later claimed he won RM225,000 in a third-prize draw. Initially demanding RM300 to release the winnings, Ling transferred RM250.
The scammers then demanded RM3,000 to unfreeze his winnings, which led Ling to pawn his gold medal and ring. When he refused further payments, the scammers threatened to track him down using his phone number and claimed RM800,000 was frozen. Ling reported the scam to the police after his son warned him. The Malaysian Chinese Association's public services head, Datuk Seri Michael Chong, cautioned that the scheme exploits victims' beliefs in supernatural powers and their desire to win lottery prizes. Chong urged the police to investigate under specific laws, urging other victims to come forward.
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