KUCHING: Sarawak Police Commissioner Dato Mancha Ata confirmed that police have received two separate reports of fraud cases involving phone scams and online investment fraud in the state.
In the first case in Miri, a woman in her 60s, who is a local entrepreneur, fell victim to a phone scam in early August 2025.
Mancha said she was contacted by a man claiming to be a National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) officer. The call was later connected to another individual impersonating a police officer. Believing their claims, the victim made several online transfers amounting to about RM550,000 into accounts provided by the suspects. She realised she had been deceived when the scammers continued demanding money.
In the second case in Kota Samarahan, a woman in her late 50s, who works as an administrative clerk in Kuching, was cheated in a non-existent online investment scheme in early June 2025.
Mancha added that after coming across a Facebook advertisement for ‘Ares MFC’, she was lured into a WhatsApp group and instructed to download an application and begin investing.
The victim transferred about RM300,000 in stages to the suspect’s bank accounts but later discovered she had been conned when the contact became unreachable and she was unable to withdraw her remaining balance. She only managed to recover RM2,880.
Mancha urged the public to remain cautious when dealing with unknown individuals and not to disclose personal information over the phone, even if the caller claims to be from official agencies.
“The public is advised to only invest in platforms that are approved and registered with Bank Negara Malaysia and the Securities Commission. Do not be easily convinced by schemes promising high returns within a short period,” he said.
He further reminded the public to verify suspicious calls and check investment legitimacy through official websites such as www.bnm.gov.my and www.sc.com.my, or by using applications such as Check Scammers CCID and Investment Checker.
He encouraged victims of cyber fraud, including phone scams, love scams, e-commerce fraud and fake loans, to immediately contact the NSRC at 997 if they have just made fund transfers to suspect accounts.
He added that the collaboration between the police and the Whoscall application can help the public screen suspicious numbers, which will be marked as scammers if listed in the police database.