Alor Gajah district police chief Arshad Abu said the 59-year-old victim from Masjid Tanah had befriended an Instagram user, going by the name of Ahmed Hashim, who claimed to live in the US, in July this year.

“The victim, who is unemployed, continued communicating with the suspect via WhatsApp.

“The man later told her that he wanted to send luxury gifts such as handbags, shoes, watches, necklaces, bracelets and cash amounting to US$15,000 as a token of their friendship,” he said in a statement today.

Arshad said on Aug 2, the woman was contacted by a person who claimed to be an agent of a courier company who asked her to make a payment before she could receive the gifts.

He said the victim made several payments in stages totalling RM85,700 to four different bank accounts from August to October but did not receive the gifts.

“In fact, the scammer was still asking money from the victim when she realised she had been deceived.

“The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code,” he added.