Cops: Beware of love scammers who may strike on Valentine's Day

SIBU: As romance is in the air with Valentine's Day around the corner, police have reminded the public not to be easily duped and get swindled in love scams.

Sarawak Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) chief Supt Maria Rasid said in January alone, police in the state received four love scam reports involving total losses of over RM128,000.

In a statement on Sunday (Feb 13), Supt Maria added that from Jan 1 to date, a total of 66 individuals had been charged under Section 37(1) of the Sarawak Minor Offences Ordinance 1958 as their bank accounts were involved in fraud cases in the state.

She advised the public to be cautious of love scams especially on Valentine's Day, which falls on Monday (Feb 14), as perpetrators may decide to take advantage of the occasion to strike.

According to Supt Maria, a suspect usually gets to know a victim through social media such as Facebook and Instagram, or dating sites.

"The suspect will then contact the victim through WhatsApp or Messenger and eventually express his love, and say he is coming to Malaysia to get married.

"He also claims he will bring gifts, jewellery, cash and the like to give to the victim," she added.

After that, syndicate members claiming to represent authorities will contact the victim and claim that her lover has been detained for carrying a lot of foreign currency.

"The victim will be asked to make payments to the account of an unknown individual to secure their loved one's release from detention," she said.

After the victim made payment, the suspect would no longer be contactable, she added.