Facebook friend costs lecturer RM 30K

Wednesday February 2, 2011
Facebook friend costs lecturer RM30K

A COLLEGE lecturer lost RM30,000 after getting acquainted with a man who claimed to be a doctor on the social networking site Facebook, Kosmo! reported.

Pahang commercial crime chief Supt Zaini Jass said the victim, 49, got to know “Dr Bruce Burn” from the United States on Jan 7.

When they were communicating, the “doctor” told her that he was based in the United States and was looking for a companion to settle down with.

He further deceived her by saying that he was prepared to settle down in Malaysia after marriage and would be coming to the country to meet her.

However, Supt Zaini said a man, who claimed to be a customs officer, contacted the lecturer and told her that the “doctor” had been arrested at KLIA for carrying £25,000 (RM121,567) that was not declared.

“The victim then paid RM30,000 to free the man,” he said, adding that she lodged a report after she discovered she was conned when the doctor did not show up at her house.