A 58-year-old woman fell victim to a Macau scam after being accused of fake loans.

A devastating phone scam in Tangkak has left a 58-year-old retiree RM108,520 poorer, after fraudsters posing as government officials manipulated her into believing she was under criminal investigation.

Deceptive Call Sparks Panic

On May 9, the woman received a call from two individuals claiming to represent the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and the police. The scammers accused her of being involved in illegal investments and non-existent loans—common tactics in what is known as a Macau scam. Gripped by fear, the retiree complied with their instructions to avoid supposed legal trouble.

Sixteen Transactions, Zero Recovery

Believing she was under government audit, the victim transferred her savings in 16 separate transactions to two bank accounts provided by the scammers. These accounts are now suspected to be “mule accounts” used to move illicit funds discreetly. Only after completing all the transfers did she realise she had been deceived.

Case Under Section 420 Penal Code

Tangkak police chief Supt Roslan Mohd Talib confirmed that the woman lodged a report on June 1. Authorities are now investigating the case under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating—an offence that carries serious legal consequences, including imprisonment.

Authorities Sound the Alarm

Supt Roslan advised the public to remain alert to scam calls, especially those involving impersonation of government or enforcement agencies. He encouraged the public to stay informed via the Commercial Crime Investigation Department’s updates on social media platforms.

Call 997: Early Action Is Key

If you suspect fraud or receive suspicious calls, report them immediately to the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) at 997. Early intervention is crucial to blocking transfers and limiting losses. Authorities hope that swift reporting will prevent more Malaysians from falling prey to similar tactics.

This case highlights a growing threat across Southeast Asia, where tech-savvy scam syndicates exploit fear and trust to steal life savings. With cross-border scams increasingly common, vigilance and public awareness are vital—especially for Indonesians and Singaporeans with loved ones in Malaysia or similar risk areas.

Sources: The Star (2025) , Bernama (2025) , Malay mail (2025)

Keywords: Tangkak Pensioner Scam, RM108000 Fraud Case, MCMC Impersonation, Phone Scam Malaysia, Macau Syndicate, National Scam Response Centre