{
  "id": 2911086,
  "title": "Pensioner in Sibu defrauded of RM317,000 in bogus blessing rites",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/pensioner-in-sibu-defrauded-of-rm317-000-in-bogus-blessing-rites",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-24T01:15:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Vibes",
    "slug": "the-vibes",
    "url": "https://www.thevibes.com/articles/news/126514/pensioner-in-sibu-defrauded-of-rm317000-in-bogus-blessing-rites"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In Sibu, a 70-year-old woman lost RM317,000 in cash and jewelry due to a con artist's scheme exploiting her fears. Police Chief Abang Zainal Abidin Abang Ahmad revealed the victim reported the incident on July 19. The ruse began when a woman with a foreign accent asked about a pharmacy to help an ailing relative. A second accomplice then offered to direct them to a family-owned shop. The elderly woman was then taken by vehicle, where the fraudsters claimed to read her son's face and warned of an impending fatal car accident. Desperate, she handed over her savings and valuables for a supposed cleansing ritual to prevent the tragedy. The case is being investigated under the Penal Code for cheating offenses. Authorities warn citizens to be wary of strangers offering superstitious rituals or supernatural treatments that require the surrender of cash, and to avoid manipulation tactics designed to create panic with fabricated threats.",
  "summary": "A SEPTUAGENARIAN housewife in Sibu suffered a devastating loss of RM317,000 in cash and valuables following an elaborate traditional healing deception orchestrated near the central market. Sibu district police chief Assistant Commissioner Abang Zaina...",
  "key_points": [
    "70-year-old woman defrauded of RM317,000 in Sibu",
    "Scammers used bogus blessing rites to extort money",
    "Police warn against superstitious rituals demanding cash"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The scam targeting the elderly woman highlights the need for vigilance against strangers using superstitious rituals and fabricated threats to manipulate and exploit vulnerable individuals.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}