In the pursuit of love on social media, some people fall victim to scams where scammers pretend to be in a romantic relationship to trick others into giving them money.
A recent case involved a 74-year-old retired Malaysian teacher who lost RM225,000 to a 'love scam' syndicate. The scammer posed as the famous Korean actor Lee Min-ho and connected with the victim on Facebook.
Photo via Berita Harian
The police revealed that the scam started in October when the imposter, claiming to be Lee Min-ho, convinced the victim to provide financial assistance for a fake court case. Over two months, the retiree transferred a total of RM225,000 to the scammer's account, thinking it was necessary to help the imposter escape the supposed legal trouble.
The victim only realized the deception after completing the transfers and promptly reported the incident to the police.
Superintendent Mohd. Adli Mat Daud assured that the police are actively investigating the scam, and charges under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating may apply.
This incident serves as a stark reminder to be cautious when talking to strangers online, especially in romantic contexts.
It highlights the importance of verifying identities, exercising skepticism, and approaching online relationships with a discerning eye to avoid falling prey to scams.
