Maran durian orchard operator loses RM202,460 in lottery scam

KUANTAN: A 63-year-old durian orchard operator from Bandar Jengka, Maran, lost RM202,460 in a lottery scam after dipping into her savings and pawning her jewellery in an attempt to claim a purported RM1.2 million prize.

Acting Pahang police chief Datuk Azry Akmar Ayob said the scam began on Nov 25 last year when the victim came across a Facebook video featuring a monk from southern Thailand who purportedly offered financial fortune-telling services.

"The victim contacted the suspect, who advised her to buy a lottery ticket for a chance to win the grand prize.

"She was then told to contact an agent from Kelantan to make the necessary payments. The agent later informed her that she had won RM1.2 million," he said in a statement today.

Azry said the agent demanded payments purportedly for bank processing fees and cross-border transfer taxes before releasing the winnings.

The victim made 12 transactions totalling RM202,460 to six bank accounts between Dec 23 last year and May 22 this year.

She received no winnings and lodged a police report after realising she had been cheated.

The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.

Azry advised the public to be wary of lottery offers, lucky-number predictions and promises of lucrative prizes on social media.