JEMPOL: A 21-year-old undergraduate has been scammed of more than RM32,000 by an individual who impersonated an Inland Revenue Board (IRB) officer.

       Jempol OCPD Supt Hoo Chang Hook (pic) said the victim, from Taman Melor in Rompin near here, was at home on Sunday (Feb 20) when he received a call from a man claiming to be an IRB officer from Kuala Lumpur.

       "The suspect then told the victim that a company registered under his name owed the IRB RM32,450.

       "When the victim denied it, the suspect asked him for his bank account details so the authorities could block it and allow Bank Negara to probe the matter," Supt Hoo said in a statement on Wednesday (Feb 23).

       He said the victim complied but when he checked his bank account a short while later, he found that RM32,450 had been transferred out to two accounts belonging to strangers.

       He said RM20,850 was transferred to one account and the rest to the second account.

       "He then realised that he had been scammed and lodged a report," Supt Hoo said.

       In a separate case, he said a 47-year-old teacher who wanted to buy two Teacup Pomeranian puppies lost RM2,700 in an online scam.

       He said the victim from Taman Awana Indah near here came across an advertisement on Facebook offering the puppies for sale on Feb 18.

       "She then called the number in the advertisement and agreed to buy the pups for RM2,200.

       "The victim was told that she also had to pay another RM500 for transportation," he said.

       The victim was told that the puppies would be delivered to her immediately after payment was made.

       When she did not receive the dogs, the victim realised she had been cheated and lodged a police report.

       Supt Hoo said in a third case, a 32-year-old doctor who wanted to buy bicycle accessories was also duped of RM1,020 in another online scam.

       He said the victim saw an advertisement on Facebook on Monday (Feb 21) offering the accessories for sale and contacted the seller via WhatsApp.

       However, after transferring the money into the seller's account, he never received the accessories and subsequently lodged a police report.

       Supt Hoo said all three cases were being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating, which carries a jail term of between one and 10 years, whipping and a fine, upon conviction.