Durian farmer loses RM202,460 to lottery scam

A 63-year-old durian farmer in Maran, Pahang, lost RM202,460 to a lottery scam involving fake financial fortune-telling services. The victim was reportedly lured by a Facebook video advertisement featuring a monk from southern Thailand offering financial predictions for 2025.

According to Pahang Acting Police Chief Dato’ Azry Akmar Ayob, the victim was told she could change her fortune by purchasing lottery tickets, with the promise of winning a RM1.2 million grand prize. To facilitate the release of these winnings, the victim was instructed to pay various fees for bank processing and international money transfer taxes.

Between December 2023 and May 2024, the victim made 12 separate transactions to six different bank accounts using her personal savings and funds from pawned jewelry. After failing to receive the promised winnings, the victim realized she had been defrauded and filed a police report. The case is currently being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code.