KUCHING :A 65-year-old hawker in Kuching has lost over RM1.2 million after falling victim to a love scam that began late last year.
In the press conference held in DAP Kuching, Special Assistant to MP Kuching, George Lam, said the woman, who met a man believed to be from China in Kuching in 2024 continued her relationship with him through WhatsApp after he claimed to have returned to China.
Over the months, he charmed her with sweet words and promises of love, eventually saying he wanted to send her RM60, 000 of gift of love.
According to the woman’s police report, the man who introduced himself as Zhao Yong was attentive and affectionate.
He later introduced her to a supposed lawyer, “Hai Na Bai Chuan,” who claimed to help arrange a money gift from Zhao Yong.
Through this so-called lawyer, she was then introduced to a ‘bank officer’ named Kamarul Ranizu, who asked her to transfer funds to settle issues like taxes, corruption cases, and police clearance in order to receive the promised gift.
“Because they promised me a big sum of money after everything was cleared, I believed them. I borrowed money from my siblings, sold my car, even took loans from licensed and unlicensed moneylenders just to keep sending the money,” she said.
The biggest transfer she made in one go was over RM200,000.
She finally realised she had been deceived when her child confronted her on July 26 at their home at Lorong Foochow. A police report has since been lodged, and authorities are investigating the case.
Also at the press conference were DAPSY Sarawak treasurer Wong King Yii and DAPSY Kuching secretary Lesley Chong who urged the public to stay vigilant against online love scams.
By Connie Chieng