Terengganu police: Woman duped into paying RM80,000 in online ‘wang ghaib’ scam

A woman lost RM80,000 after falling victim to a syndicate offering to help people obtain ‘wang ghaib’ online. — Picture by Raymond Manuel

First Published: Saturday, 26 Sep 2026 1:07 PM MYT

KUALA TERENGGANU, Sept 26 — An elderly woman lost RM80,000 after falling victim to a syndicate offering to help people obtain ‘wang ghaib’ online.

District police chief ACP Azli Mohd Noor said the 73-year-old woman came across an advertisement for the money on a Facebook page last year.

He said the victim contacted the suspect via WhatsApp and was told that the money could be used to repair her house, settle debts and make contributions to orphaned children.

“The suspect later told the victim that the money had been credited to her bank account. She continued to believe the suspect despite finding that no money had been credited to her account.

“On Sept 24, the suspect’s friend contacted the victim and told her that the money was in his possession. To obtain the money, she was required to pay RM50,000 as a penalty for failing to claim it earlier,” he said in a statement today.

Azli said the victim then contacted the suspect to verify the claim and was told that she had to pay the ‘compound’ as her bank account had been frozen.

He said the victim made 13 transactions totalling RM80,000 into a bank account using her own savings.

“The victim lodged a police report at 4.17 pm yesterday after failing to receive the promised money despite having paid the compound.

“The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code,” he added. — Bernama