SIBU: A security company operator thought he could save on his utilities costs by downloading an application onto his smartphone.
Instead he ended up losing RM39,700 after he was tricked into installing the application that allegedly offered discounts on utility bill payment.
District police chief ACP Stanley Jonathan Ringgit said on July 16, the 49-year-old victim came across an advertisement on Facebook that offered up to eight percent discount on utility bills.
“He was impressed by the offer and responded by giving his phone number to the advertiser.
“At about 8.45pm, the victim received a message on WhatsApp instructing him to download a ‘Direct Pay’ application into his phone to enjoy the discount.
“After doing so, the victim was asked to fill in his personal and banking details into the application,” he told.
The next day (July 17) at 3pm, the victim received a call from his bank stating that a total of RM39,700 was transferred out from his account.
There were 12 transactions from his account to a ‘Finexus Cards Sdn Bhd’ bank account.
Stanley said the victim lodged a police report after realising that the application was a fraud.
The case is being investigated as a cheating case under Section 420 of the Penal Code.
