A company administrator was tricked into transferring RM110,000 in company funds after receiving instructions from a caller who allegedly posed as her director.
Police are also investigating whether the suspect used deepfake technology to mimic the actual director’s voice.
The 43-year-old woman, who works for a construction company, received a call from a man who introduced himself as “Lei Chong” and “director Lei”, claiming to be her employer.
Johor Baru South district police chief Assistant Commissioner Azrul Hisham Mohd Shaffei said the caller instructed the woman to go to an office in Larkin before ordering her to make several payments into two bank accounts.
“The total amount transferred was RM110,000 using company funds,” he said in a statement today.
The caller subsequently demanded another RM150,000 to be transferred into a different bank account.
However, the woman became suspicious and contacted the actual company director through WeChat. She then discovered that the director had never instructed her to make any payments.
Azrul Hisham said police were investigating to identify the holders of the bank accounts, verify the transactions with the respective banks and trace those involved.
The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating, which carries a maximum jail term of 10 years, whipping and a fine upon conviction.
He urged members of the public, particularly those handling company finances, to verify payment instructions directly with the purported sender, even when the caller appears to be a known employer, company director or government officer.
Those who believe they have fallen victim to a scam are urged to contact the National Scam Response Centre at 997 immediately.
