Retired teacher loses RM164,000 after clicking fake bank contest link on Facebook

A RETIRED schoolteacher lost approximately RM164,000 in a suspected phishing scam after clicking on a link to a supposed lucky draw promoted via Facebook, believed to be associated with a local bank.

Besut District Police Chief, Superintendent Azamuddin Ahmad @ Abu, said the 60-year-old victim only realised something was amiss when he received an email from his bank last Thursday alerting him to multiple transactions he did not authorise.

“Shocked by the email, the victim immediately visited a bank branch in Jertih to obtain a statement. He discovered that there had been 39 transactions from his savings account to multiple other accounts, most of which are believed to be based overseas,” Bernama cited Azamuddin saiying in a statement today.

He added that the victim was left with only RM30,000 in the account, having lost the bulk of his savings.

The retired teacher suspected he had been duped after previously entering personal information into a link shared on Facebook, which claimed to offer entry into a lucky draw by a Malaysian bank.

Police are investigating the case under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating and dishonestly inducing the delivery of property.

Azamuddin also urged the public to remain vigilant against online scams, especially those involving suspicious links and unsolicited social media offers. - June 30, 2025