A civil servant has become the latest victim of an online scam involving the purchase of Harumanis mangoes, losing RM38,090 in a fraudulent scheme that continues to target fruit enthusiasts in the city.
The 54-year-old victim lodged a police report at the Kuala Terengganu District Police Headquarters at 11.10pm on Monday after discovering the unauthorised transactions.
Police revealed that this marks the fourth similar case reported since 18 April, with total losses from the scam syndicate estimated at around RM70,000.
Kuala Terengganu District Police Chief Assistant Commissioner Azli Mohd Noor said the victim was initially attracted to an advertisement for Harumanis mangoes on Facebook while at his workplace.
“The victim contacted the number provided and was then given a link supposedly for transaction purposes,” he said.
Unaware that it was a scam, the victim proceeded to enter personal and banking details through the link provided.
Shortly after, the victim was alarmed to find that his savings had been transferred out of his bank account without his knowledge.
Police said the money was siphoned through seven transactions into four different bank accounts within just eight minutes, beginning at 1.28pm on Monday.
Authorities are continuing investigations and have urged the public to be cautious when making online purchases, especially through unverified social media advertisements.
