{
  "id": 2911270,
  "title": "Warga emas ditipu RM317,000 selepas terpedaya rawatan ‘buang nasib malang’",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/warga-emas-ditipu-rm317-000-selepas-terpedaya-rawatan-buang-nasib",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-24T01:18:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/bahasa/tempatan/2026/08/24/warga-emas-ditipu-rm317-000-selepas-terpedaya-rawatan-buang-nasib-malang"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A 70-year-old Sibu housewife has lost RM317,000 to a con artist posing as a traditional healer offering \"cursed fate\" rituals, Sibu Police Chief Abang Zainal Abidin Abang Ahmad revealed. The victim disclosed to police on July 19 that she was initially approached by an unknown woman, believed to be of Chinese origin due to her accent, who inquired about a traditional Chinese medicine shop to obtain medication for her mother. Soon after, another woman with a similar accent approached the victim and offered to take her to a shop, supposedly owned by her brother.\n\nThe victim was then driven to a vehicle which, according to the suspect, possessed the ability to read faces and predict that the victim's son would be involved in a serious road accident on a specific day. The suspect then offered a protective ceremony and requested the victim to surrender cash and belongings, totaling the RM317,000 loss. The woman, fearing for her son's safety, believed the suspect and handed over the money and goods, resulting in the significant financial loss. The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for deceit. The police advise the public to be cautious of unknown individuals offering traditional healing, rituals, or \"cursed fate\" ceremonies seeking cash or valuable items. They also warn against being swayed by manipulative statements designed to instill fear and concern, prompting people to surrender valuables or money.",
  "summary": "Mangsa berusia 70an pada mulanya didatangi wanita tidak dikenali, dipercayai warga China sebelum diperdaya.",
  "key_points": [
    "70-year-old Sibu housewife loses RM317,000 to con artist",
    "Suspect posed as traditional healer offering cursed fate rituals",
    "Police warn public against unknown individuals offering such ceremonies"
  ],
  "editors_take": "This case highlights the vulnerability of seniors to scams involving traditional healing and rituals, and police warnings aim to prevent others from falling prey to similar manipulative tactics.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Warga emas ditipu RM317,000 selepas terpedaya rawatan ‘buang nasib malang’",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/warga-emas-ditipu-rm317-000-selepas-terpedaya-rawatan-buang-nasib-2915970",
        "published": "2026-08-24T01:18:04.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}