In a statement today, Sentul district police chief Beh Eng Lai said a 40-year-old housewife lodged a report yesterday that she had received a call from a person who claimed to be an insurance officer, who transferred the call to someone who was supposedly a police officer.

The housewife was then informed that she was involved in a corruption and money laundering case.

“The (alleged) police officer made a video call while in uniform and used an app which simulated facial movements and this had confused the complainant,” Beh said.

“The syndicate misleads the public by using an app to make it seem as if it is a real person at the other end of the call.”

The case is being investigated under Section 420/511 of the Penal Code, which allows for a prison sentence of between one and 10 years, and whipping.

Beh said police take a serious view of fake calls that use profile photos of police and other law enforcement officers to trick the public, and he advised the public to be careful when receiving such calls.