Bukit Aman commercial crime investigation department (CCID) director Ramli Yoosuf said the 60-year-old woman had met a man on Facebook, adding that he had claimed he was a Singaporean living in the United Kingdom, Sinar Harian reported.

He said the man had arranged to meet the director, saying he was coming to Malaysia to bid for a project from an oil and gas company.

“The man asked the woman to lend him a large sum of money to bid for the project, promising that it would be returned.

“The victim then made 11 cash transfers worth a total of RM1,256,000 to two bank accounts,” he was reported to have said.

He added that the case was being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property, which is punishable with imprisonment from one to 10 years, whipping, and a fine.

According to Ramli, 792 love scam cases were recorded in 2022, involving losses totalling RM56,273,793.56.

“Last year, that number rose to 935 cases, with losses totalling RM43,920,299.

“Between January and June this year, 349 love scam cases have been reported with losses totalling RM12,821,122.53,” he added.