Pahang Pensioner Bedazzled By Diamond Gift, Swindled Of RM535,000

KUANTAN, Oct 14 (Bernama) -- A pensioner from a private company was scammed of more than RM535,000 after swooning over a fake diamond gift with an option for cash.

Pahang police chief Datuk Seri Yahaya Othman said the 65-year-old local woman initially received a phone call from someone claiming to be a representative of a company on Sept 1.

He said the caller informed the elated victim that she had won second place in the company's "Customer Appreciation Banquet" and was offered a diamond gift as well as the option to exchange it for RM205,000 in cash.

"The victim duly chose cash and was asked to make a deposit payment of RM6,150 ostensibly for the purpose of redeeming the prize. The woman then started making transactions and was further deceived by the suspect who asked for additional payments under various pretexts.

"Soon, the pensioner was drawn to make 30 transactions to 13 different accounts from Sept 3 to Oct 9 using her own savings and loans from the family," he said in a statement today.

However, Yahaya said the victim finally realised she had been cheated when she failed to receive the tantalising sum of cash as promised.

He added that the victim lodged a report at the Rompin district police headquarters yesterday, and the case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.

-- BERNAMA