Beware of fake calls asking for financial assistance
Anonymous | 08 Jun 2023
Impersonation Scam
On Saturday, I received a call from someone who claimed to be a close Malaysian friend of mine. The voice on the other end sounded exactly like my friend, which made me believe it was her. The person asked me to save her new number, and when I inquired about her name, she confirmed that she was the same person I always addressed by her English name, Iris.
On Monday morning, this person called me on WhatsApp and requested my assistance in updating her new contact information on the POSB app. After guiding her through the process, she informed me that she had an urgent payment to make to her contractor. She explained that due to the recent update of her contact number, the bank had imposed a 12-hour restriction on her payments. Desperate for help, she asked me to lend her $3800 and provided me with the contractor's number: 83437736. She claimed that the contractor's name was Mohamed Harith Rusyaidi bin Mohamed Rafiee and assured me that she would repay the money by the end of the day.
However, I became suspicious and decided to verify the situation. I called my friend's original number, which remained unchanged, and confirmed that she hadn't made any such requests. Realizing that I was being targeted by a scammer, I informed the imposter that I couldn't provide the funds. Despite my refusal, the scammer persisted in calling me. I explained that I was unable to answer the phone due to work commitments and advised her to communicate directly with her supposed contractor. After that, she ceased all contact with me.
On Monday morning, this person called me on WhatsApp and requested my assistance in updating her new contact information on the POSB app. After guiding her through the process, she informed me that she had an urgent payment to make to her contractor. She explained that due to the recent update of her contact number, the bank had imposed a 12-hour restriction on her payments. Desperate for help, she asked me to lend her $3800 and provided me with the contractor's number: 83437736. She claimed that the contractor's name was Mohamed Harith Rusyaidi bin Mohamed Rafiee and assured me that she would repay the money by the end of the day.
However, I became suspicious and decided to verify the situation. I called my friend's original number, which remained unchanged, and confirmed that she hadn't made any such requests. Realizing that I was being targeted by a scammer, I informed the imposter that I couldn't provide the funds. Despite my refusal, the scammer persisted in calling me. I explained that I was unable to answer the phone due to work commitments and advised her to communicate directly with her supposed contractor. After that, she ceased all contact with me.
