Kedah Commercial Crime Investigation Department chief Supt Elias Omar said the 62-year-old woman from Mergong, here, had met an individual named “Lucas Cai” on Facebook.

“Initially, the victim thought the user named ‘Lucas Cai’ was her nephew, and started contacting the man. The suspect had introduced himself as ‘Lucas’ from the United Kingdom, and that he worked as an engineer at a company in Northern Ireland.”

He said the suspect then asked for financial help from the victim, saying he was facing difficulties with a pump cylinder repair project.

Elias said out of pity, the woman had made four transactions in stages to three different accounts at a bank in Alor Setar from March 18 to April 19, totaling RM326,586.

“The victim used the savings from her 36 years of work as well as insurance savings. She realised she had been cheated after finding out from a website that two other individuals were also cheated using the same approach.

Elias advised the public not to easily believe anyone they came to know via social media.

“Don’t easily make any money transfers to individuals who are only known through social media. If you are not sure, please check the (banking or contact) information (given by the individuals) at https://ccid.rmp.gov.my/semakmule/,” he said.