Miri: An assistant executive of a government agency in his 50s lost RM385,000 to an online scam.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Miri police chief ACP Mohd Farhan Lee Abdullah reported that the victim received a phone call from an unknown individual posing as a police officer from the Penang Police Contingent Headquarters.

"The suspect claimed that the victim was involved in money laundering activities and was wanted by the authorities," said Mohd Farhan. The victim was instructed to withdraw money from his Employees Provident Fund (EPF) account and hand it over to the authorities to purportedly facilitate an investigation.

Mohd Farhan further stated that the victim realized he had been scammed only after being asked to make an additional payment. The case is currently being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code.