State Commercial CID chief Superintendent Mohd Wazir Mohd Yusof said the 63-year-old victim also activated his online banking at the instruction of the suspect.

He added that the victim, who was a retiree from a telecommunications company, was contacted by the suspect at 10am last Friday (July 26), claiming his telephone number would be blocked for having RM4,000 in arrears.

"The victim was then told to speak to an alleged policeman with the rank of sergeant who demanded the numbers of his two bank accounts and automatic withdrawal card numbers for alleged account suspension purpose.

"The alleged sergeant also instructed the victim, through WhatsApp, to activate the online banking of one of his accounts,” he told reporters here Sunday (July 28).

The victim only realised that he had been cheated after going to the bank for verification, and upon checking one of his bank accounts, found that 12 money transfer transactions had been made online.

He claimed that he did not know the owner of the account and a check at another of his account found that his savings had also been withdrawn, without his knowledge.

The victim lodged a report at the Temerloh district police headquarters and the case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code.