JEMPOL: A 21-year-old undergraduate has lost more than RM32,000 after he was cheated by an individual impersonating an Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) officer in an online scam here, say police.

       Jempol OCPD Supt Hoo Chang Hook said the victim received a call from a man claiming to be an LHDN officer on Feb 20.

       “The scammer told the victim that a company registered under his name owed the LHDN RM32,450.

       “When the victim denied this, the man asked for his bank account details to allow the authorities to block it and get Bank Negara to probe the matter,” he said in a statement.Supt Hoo said the victim decided to check his bank account a short while later and found that RM32,450 had been transferred out to two accounts belonging to strangers.

       “He then realised that he had been scammed and lodged a report,” he added.

       In another online scam, Supt Hoo said a 47-year-old teacher who wanted to buy two Teacup Pomeranian puppies lost RM2,700.

       He said the victim came across an advertisement on Facebook offering the puppies for sale on Feb 18.

       “She contacted a phone number in the advertisement via WhatsApp and agreed to buy the two pups for RM2,200. She was told that she had to pay another RM500 for transportation cost,” he said.

       The victim was told that the puppies would be delivered immediately after payment was made. When this did not happen, the victim realised that she had been cheated and decided to lodge a report.

       Supt Hoo said a 32-year-old doctor who wanted to buy bicycle accessories lost RM1,020 in another online scam.

       He said the victim saw an advertisement on Facebook on Feb 21 and contacted the seller via WhatsApp.Despite transferring the money into the seller’s account, he never received the accessories and decided to lodge a police report.