A WELL-KNOWN make-up artiste from Hong Kong lost RM1.2mil in a cyber love scam operated by an African syndicate based in Malaysia.
The victim, in her 30s, came to Malaysia on a working trip in March and befriended the African suspect on Facebook while staying at a resort in Malacca. After she fell in love with him, he lied about his money being frozen by Bank Negara and asked her for help, to which she agreed.
She transferred US$300,000 through Western Union in Hong Kong and later another sum into Hong Leong Bank to the suspect.
She realised she had been cheated when the suspect started to make all sorts of excuses. "She returned to Malaysia on Nov 18 to lodge a police report in Malacca," said a source.
Senior Asst Comm Roslan Abdul Wahid, deputy director of operations and intelligence, confirmed that police were investigating the case under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.
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