A woman’s search to find friendship and love online took a turn for the worst when the man she thought was a soldier, was probably just a schmuck who swindled her out of nearly RM20,000 (US$4,800) in what appears to be a lonely-hearts scam.
The victim, a hotel worker in her 30s, borrowed the bulk of the money from a lender to help out the scammer.
The woman filed a police report yesterday, after the man she had been chatting to via social media for a month, apparently absconded with the cash that he had promised to return.
He claimed to be a local soldier who had been stationed in Australia, and the two made tentative plans to meet it Subang Jaya. The meeting never happened. Red flag.
Our alleged soldier then told the woman that he had US$280,000 (RM1.1 million) being held by the Customs Department in Singapore, and needed help paying the tax fee. Red flag No. 2.
Guys. Look out for the red flags!!
The victim then went to a money lender, and took out a loan to pay into the man’s bank account. After two deposits, the woman gave him RM19,600.
Officials are now looking for the suspect.
Police report a worrying trend that although between January and June 2017, scam losses reported in Malaysia were down RM50.5 million (US$ 11 million) from RM53.4 million (US$12 million) from last year. However, the number of scams was up, from 950 to 1,302 in that same period.
Damn, there’s a lot of lonely hearts out there. Word to the wise, and weary: If anyone says they love you, and then asks for money (hello, every bf of my 20s) they’re not a good person. Especially if you’ve never met them in person. Don’t send the money. Just don’t. OK? Go buy yourself a Jag and do you.
