July 20, 2021 @ 3:30pm
KUCHING: A 49-year-old man lost RM39,700 after downloading a mobile application that required him to provide his personal details including banking information.
Sibu police chief Assistant Commissioner Stanley Jonathan Ringgit said the victim, a self-employed man, saw an advertisement introducing the application dubbed as 'Direct Pay' when browsing his social media account on Friday.
He said the advert caught the victim's attention as it offered an eight per cent discount for utility bills paid via the application.
"He (victim) sent a message to the number that appeared on the advertisement to ask for more information.
Later, he received a reply (from WhatsApp), instructing the victim to download the application and provide his personal details, including bank information to enjoy the discount.
Stanley said the victim received a phone call from the bank the next day, stating that 12 transactions, involving RM23,700, had been transferred to a particular account.
"The victim had no idea whose account that was and only realised he was cheated later and lodged a police report."
The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property.