Student falls for phone scam and hands mother’s jewelry worth over S$40K to stranger

MALAYSIA: An 18-year-old student in Malaysia fell victim to a telephone scam that saw her hand over gold jewellery worth RM140,000 (approximately S$42,096) to a stranger, believing she was clearing her name in a police investigation.

According to China Press, the incident occurred earlier this month on July 1, when the teenager, who was awaiting university admission offers, received a series of alarming phone calls.

The callers claimed to be representatives from electronic payment service Touch ‘n Go and officers from the Perak Police Headquarters. They accused her of being implicated in a case involving stolen personal information, fraud, and money laundering.

The young woman believed them and arranged to meet an unknown woman at a supermarket on July 2, where she handed over her mother’s gold jewellery, estimated to be worth RM140,000 or over S$40,000.

Kuala Besut district police later revealed that the suspect had promised to return the jewellery the same day. However, the teen was later told the gold had been sent to the Royal Malaysian Police Forensic Team for further investigation.

The suspect then demanded an additional RM28,000 (around S$8,419) from the student as “bail” in order to recover the items. It was only then that the victim realised she had been scammed and lodged a police report.

In a statement, Kuala Besut police said they arrested a 37-year-old woman on July 14, in connection with the case. Police investigations are ongoing.