KUCHING: A private firm clerk in Bintulu lost RM5,000 to an “Instagram boyfriend” from England in the latest parcel scam reported in the state.
Head of State Police Commercial Crime Investigation Department Supt Mustafa kamal Gani Abdullah said the 33-year-old woman came to know the man, who claimed to be from England, at the end of November last year.
“Throughout their relationship, the victim had been in communication with the suspect via Instagram and also through telephone,” he said in a police statement today.
According to Kamal, the suspect told the victim he would be sending a parcel for her from England.
“On March 22, the victim received a short messaging system (SMS) purportedly from a courier service provider, World Wide Courier, telling her that there is a package sent for her from England.
“In the SMS, the victim is required to pay RM8,000 as sending fee to her address,” she added.
Kamal said the suspect, however, could afford to pay only RM5,000 in three transactions.
She only suspected she could have been duped after she made her last payment and immediately lodged a police report.
