Bank teller alerts account owner of scam

A bank teller has persuaded an account owner to stop a suspicious transfer to a suspected scammer.

According to a report by local media Macao Daily News who cited the Judiciary Police (PJ), a female local university student in her twenties received a call from a stranger last Tuesday. The caller claimed to be the police in Shanghai and was able to recite the student’s name and ID number. The caller claimed the student was involved in a serious crime in mainland China, before requesting a video call and that screen sharing be conducted.

During the video call, a presumably fake uniformed police officer presented a working pass and an arrest warrant for the student. The officer started interrogations and requested confidentiality.

Out of fear, the student turned on online banking services and provided the man her account number and authorization codes. She then transferred MOP170,000 into her account, which was later transferred elsewhere.

On Friday, the student was ordered to deposit more money, so she took cash from her mother that she stored at home – MOP800,000 – to a bank in Northern District.

The bank teller, however, discovered a number of suspicious transfers made by the student. Asked the reason for the deposit, the student could not explain clearly because she was trying to hide the reason. Later, the teller managed to stop her from making the deposit, before contacting her family and the police.

Following investigations, the police confirmed the student had fallen victim to a scam.

The police thanked the bank teller for being vigilant and helpful. Meanwhile, this case is an example of the effectiveness of co-operation between the PJ and local banks to stop suspicious transfers.

The police has also reminded the public to be vigilant against phone scams and to not fully believe incoming number displays as incoming numbers can be fabricated by computer apps. AL