Pahang: A pensioner from a private company was scammed of more than RM535,000 after swooning over a fake diamond gift with an option for cash. Pahang police chief Datuk Seri Yahaya Othman said the 65-year-old local woman initially received a phone call from someone claiming to be a representative of a company on September 1.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the caller informed the victim that she had won second place in the company's "Customer Appreciation Banquet" and was offered a diamond gift as well as the option to exchange it for RM205,000 in cash.

Yahaya explained that the victim chose the cash option and was instructed to make a deposit payment of RM6,150, ostensibly for the purpose of redeeming the prize. The woman then started making transactions and was further deceived by the suspect, who asked for additional payments under various pretexts.

The pensioner eventually made 30 transactions to 13 different accounts from September 3 to October 9, using her own savings and loans from family members. Yahaya said the victim realized she had been cheated when she failed to receive the promised cash.

The victim lodged a report at the Rompin district police headquarters yesterday. The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.