Five people have been arrested in connection with a scratch-and-win scam syndicate that allegedly cheated two elderly women out of more than RM77,000 in cash and jewellery in separate cases in Ipoh and Taiping.
Perak police chief Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin said the suspects, aged between 22 and 40, were detained during coordinated raids in Melaka and Selangor on June 19.
Police said the syndicate was linked to two reported cases involving elderly victims who were deceived with promises of gold bars and lucky draw prizes.
Fake gold bar lucky draw winnings
Case 1: Woman loses RM18,600 after being promised a gold bar
Location: Ipoh
Date reported: Oct 3, 2025
- The victim was approached by three individuals while shopping at a supermarket.
- The suspects told her she had won a 150g gold bar.
- To “facilitate” the collection of the prize, she was persuaded to hand over:
- Her jewellery
- ATM card
- ATM PIN number
- The suspects later fled the scene.
- RM600 was subsequently withdrawn from her bank account.
- The woman suffered total losses of approximately RM18,600.
Case 2: Elderly woman loses RM59,000 in fake lucky draw scam
Location: Taiping
Date reported: June 14, 2026
- The victim was informed that she had won a lucky draw hamper.
- She was instructed to collect the prize at the Taiping Bus Station.
- Upon arriving, she was escorted into a vehicle by three suspects.
- The suspects asked her to participate in a scratch-and-win game on a tablet device.
- She was then told she had won a 100g gold bar.
- To qualify for additional prizes, she was persuaded to hand over her jewellery.
- The suspects disappeared shortly after obtaining her valuables.
- The victim’s losses were estimated at RM59,000.
Both cases are believed to involve similar tactics, with scammers luring victims using fake prize claims before convincing them to surrender their valuables.
Acting on intelligence, police raided an apartment in Melaka at about 5.30am on June 19 and arrested three men and one woman. A fifth suspect, also a woman, was later detained at a house in Telok Panglima Garang, Selangor.
Authorities warn public against fake lucky draw prize scams
Police also seized nine mobile phones, nine SIM cards, a tablet device, 16 lucky draw vouchers, clothing, footwear and two sling bags believed to have been used in the scams. The items are estimated to be worth around RM10,000.
All suspects have been remanded until June 23, and the case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating, which carries penalties of up to 10 years’ jail, whipping and a fine upon conviction.
Authorities have reminded the public not to fall for lucky draw schemes that require victims to hand over jewellery, bank cards or cash in exchange for prizes.
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