A total of RM2.7 million in losses were recorded due to phone scams, better known as the Macau Scam in Pahang last year, compared to RM360,000 a year earlier, a 650 percent rise.

Pahang police chief Rosli Ab Rahman said even though such cases were being reported in the news time and again, the number of cases reported had continued to rise, occurring in almost all districts in the state.

He said Kuantan district recorded the highest total loss of RM1.152 million, followed by Rompin (RM410,100), Cameron Highlands (RM270,092), Temerloh (RM267,960), Bentong (RM210,969), Raub (RM179,596), Pekan (RM93,425), Jerantut (RM71,952), Maran (RM43,750) and Bera (25,217).

Rosli said this during a press conference after the monthly assembly at the Pahang police contingent in Kuantan, yesterday,

Based on reports received, 57 arrests were made last year, compared to 11 in the previous year, he added.

Meanwhile, Rosli said within the first 23 days of this year alone, 14 Macau Scam cases were reported in Pahang involving losses totalling RM293,435.

He said the Pekan district recorded the highest total loss of RM112,600 involving three cases, followed by Bentong (two cases with RM51,500 in losses), Maran (one case, RM45,000), Temerloh (two cases, RM41,240), Kuantan (two cases, RM20,500 ), Kuala Lipis (two cases, RM16,495) and Jerantut (two cases, RM6,100).

"The Macau Scam continues to use the same modus operandi of deceiving victims through phone calls, either informing them they had won in a lucky draw, or by claiming that the victims had outstanding debt with the bank or committed an offence, making them panic."

"In this regard, I advise those who receive any suspicious call to investigate any offers or claims made with the authorities to avoid any loss," he said.

- Bernama