Malaysia Phone Scam: Ipoh Retiree Loses RM1.9 Million to Fake Police Officer

A Malaysia phone scam has left a 78-year-old man in Ipoh, Perak, with losses of approximately RM1.9 million after a caller allegedly impersonated a police officer and convinced him that he was involved in a criminal investigation.

Perak police chief Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin said the elderly victim was intimidated by the suspect and instructed to follow a series of directions until his money was transferred to unknown parties. The victim later lodged a police report on Friday, 4 September 2026.

How the RM1.9 Million Phone Scam Happened

Initial police investigations indicate that the scammer used a common authority-impersonation method.

The suspect allegedly contacted the victim while pretending to be a police officer. The victim was then told that he was connected to an offence or investigation, creating fear and pressure to follow the caller’s instructions.

According to police, the victim eventually transferred money worth about RM1.9 million to unknown parties.

Authorities have not publicly disclosed further details about the accounts involved or whether any of the money has been recovered.

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Police Investigating Case Under Section 420

The case is currently being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code, which covers cheating offences.

Police have again stressed that genuine officers do not require members of the public to transfer money to bank accounts as part of an investigation.

This is an important warning because scammers frequently create a sense of urgency by claiming that a victim is linked to criminal activity, suspicious bank transactions or an ongoing enforcement investigation.

Police Warn Malaysians About Suspicious Calls

Mohd Alwi advised the public not to panic when receiving unexpected calls from people claiming to represent the police, banks or enforcement agencies.

Police recommended several immediate precautions:

• End suspicious calls immediately.
• Do not disclose banking information.
• Never reveal TAC or OTP numbers.
• Do not provide passwords or sensitive personal information.
• Verify suspicious claims directly through an organisation’s official channels.

Why Police Impersonation Scams Can Be Convincing

Police impersonation scams often rely on fear rather than technical hacking. Victims may be told that their identity, bank account or phone number has been connected to a serious offence.

Once the victim becomes worried, the scammer may present instructions as necessary to “assist an investigation”.

The Ipoh case highlights why Malaysians should independently verify any unexpected demand involving money, especially when the caller claims to be from an authority.

Key Facts

• The victim is a 78-year-old man from Ipoh.
• He reportedly lost approximately RM1.9 million.
• The suspect allegedly impersonated a police officer.
• The victim was made to believe he was involved in an investigation.
• Police are investigating the case under Section 420 of the Penal Code.
• Police say they will never instruct people to transfer money for investigative purposes.

What People Are Asking

How much did the Ipoh phone scam victim lose?

The victim reportedly lost approximately RM1.9 million after transferring his money to unknown parties.

Did the real police ask him to transfer money?

No. Police said they do not instruct individuals to transfer money into accounts for investigative purposes.

What should I do if someone claiming to be police asks for money?

End the call, avoid sharing banking or personal information, and independently contact the relevant agency through its official channels to verify the claim.