Elderly woman loses RM80k in 'ghost money aid' scam

KUALA TERENGGANU: A 73-year-old woman lost RM80,000 after falling victim to a scam offering fake "ghost money aid".

Kuala Terengganu district police chief, Assistant Commissioner Azli Mohd Noor, said the housewife lodged a police report at 4.17pm yesterday.

He said the incident began last year when the victim, who was at home, became interested in obtaining "ghost money aid" advertised online through Facebook.

She then communicated via WhatsApp with a person using the name "Ustaz Nasihin" through a telephone number provided.

"The person offered 'ghost money aid', purportedly for home repairs, settling debts and making donations to orphans.

"To obtain the aid, the victim was required to make payments in advance according to the amount instructed," he said.

Azli said the person later informed the victim that the money had been deposited into her account.

However, he said the victim checked her account and found that no money had been deposited as promised.

He said on Sept 24, the victim was contacted by a person who introduced himself as "Vee Hong" and claimed to be holding the money.

"Vee Hong told the victim that the money could be collected, but she first had to make a RM50,000 payment as a fine because the money had not been collected on time.

"The victim then contacted 'Ustaz Nasihin' for an explanation and was told that he had been detained and fined RM50,000.

"The person asked the victim to make the payment, promising that the money would be returned," he said.

Azli said after being deceived, the victim made 13 transactions to a bank account, amounting to RM80,000.

He said all the money came from the victim's savings and the case was being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code.