Malaysian retiree loses RM81,465 in online romance scam
Bastillepost · 1 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago1 MIN
Summary
A retired man in Malaysia has reported losing RM81,465 after an online relationship turned into an alleged romance scam. He said he transferred money 44 times over nearly two months before realising something was wrong when the woman did not appear for their first arranged meeting
Key Points
- Police said the victim met a woman of unknown nationality online on June 13, and the pair later developed what he believed was a romantic relationship
- After gaining his trust, the woman repeatedly asked for money for rent, car repairs, gold purchases and daily living expenses, according to the report
- Between June 13 and August 7, the retiree transferred funds 44 times into six different bank accounts, with total losses reaching RM81,465
- The woman later agreed to meet him for the first time on August 10, but she never appeared at the agreed location
- When the man contacted her, she allegedly kept making excuses and failed to give a reasonable explanation, prompting him to file a police report
Why It Matters
The case shows how romance scams can escalate through repeated small and large transfers before victims recognise the warning signs, especially when the relationship exists only online. For Hong Kong readers, the practical lesson is to avoid sending money to someone never met in person and to seek police help quickly if requests for funds become persistent or suspicious