TANGKAK: A 69-year-old retiree lost RM57,290 after falling victim to a scammer who impersonated a Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) officer via SMS.

The victim was first contacted on Aug 1 through a text message claiming urgent action was needed on his online banking account.

Believing the sender to be a genuine BNM official, the victim followed instructions and unknowingly disclosed login details linked to his online banking application.

District police chief Superintendent Roslan Mohd Talib said once the scammer obtained access to the account, the money was siphoned off through four transactions into two suspected mule accounts.

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"The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating, which carries a jail term of up to 10 years, whipping, and a fine upon conviction," he said in a statement today.

Roslan advised the public to remain vigilant and not to respond to unsolicited messages, especially those claiming to be from banks or financial institutions.

"Always verify such messages through official channels.

If you suspect you have been scammed, contact the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) immediately at 997 to block further fund outflow," he added.

He also also urged the public to stay updated on the latest scam tactics by following the Commercial Crime Investigation Department's official pages on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.