Victim Met the Scammer Through Family Introduction
A woman, aged 53 and from Penang, Malaysia, reportedly lost more than RM2.33 million (approx. S$708k) in what authorities have identified as a love scam.
According to Malay Mail, Penang’s acting police chief, Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin, explained that the victim, employed as a factory programme manager in Bayan Lepas, first came into contact with the suspect in February 2024 through her aunt.
The aunt had met the man, who went by the name Perry Chan, at a seminar in Kuala Lumpur and intended to matchmake them.
He purported to be a Singaporean national residing in Ottawa, Canada.
Business Story Used to Gain Trust
The Star reported that the pair kept in touch solely through WhatsApp messages. In March 2024, the man claimed he was managing an electric grip installation project for the Oman government.
He allegedly asked for her help in moving money to buy raw materials, saying that internet access in Oman was unreliable.
A Series of Transactions Drained Savings
The victim initially helped by accessing the suspect’s account and making transfers as instructed. However, she later received a call saying the transfers had failed because they involved different countries.
The man then requested that she cover advance costs for bank service fees, assuring her she would be paid back.
From March 28 to August 18, 2024, she made 58 transactions into nine different local bank accounts, amounting to RM1.936 million (approx. S$588,486).
Fake Bank Call Deepened the Deception
In September 2024, the suspect informed her he had placed a cheque valued at US$404,500 (approx. S$520,326) into a Heritage Asset Bank Oman account as repayment.
Subsequently, she received a call from an individual posing as a “bank customer service officer” in Malaysia, who said further payments were needed to process the cheque.
Between September 25, 2024, and July 4, 2025, she made another 13 transactions totalling RM399,407 (approx. S$121,394) into five different local bank accounts.
Police Investigation Ongoing
Authorities said further investigations are underway.
More from Wake Up Singapore:-
M’sian Entrepreneur Creates ‘Scammers On Hold AI (SOHAI)’ Chatbot to Waste WhatsApp Scammers’ Time
M’sian Woman Outsmarts Scammer with 1 Cent Strategy to Get Her Money Back
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