Malaysia retiree scammed of $38,000 in fake Hong Kong sperm donor plot

The 57-year-old retiree was told to make several payments, including RM10,000 for air tickets and RM30,000 for protection services for the “Hong Kong woman”.PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO

KUALA LUMPUR – Having ignored warnings from a bank and the police, a retiree lost RM161,000 ($38,000) after being lured by an online scam to become a sperm donor for a supposedly beautiful woman in Hong Kong.

The 57-year-old saw an advertisement on social media stating that the woman wanted to bear a child and that there would be a reward of HK$2 million for the man chosen.

“I was communicating with a person claiming to be a lawyer for the woman who said he would formalize the agreement.

“I was told to make several payments, including RM10,000 for air tickets and RM30,000 for protection services for her,” the man told a press conference held by Datuk Seri Michael Chong, head of the Malaysian Chinese Association’s Public Services and Complaints Department, in Kuala Lumpur on June 5.

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The retiree, who identified himself as Mr Tan, said he continued to make more payments, including to fly in doctors who would monitor him to ensure that the baby would be born healthy.

In total, Mr Tan parted with RM161,000 to the scammers before finally deciding to call off the “deal”, without even meeting the woman or the so-called lawyer in person.

Mr Chong said he was disappointed with Mr Tan for being so gullible and falling for what was an outright scam.

“A bank officer called and asked to meet with him on the transactions as he suspected it was a scam.

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“After meeting the bank officer and a policeman, who told him the same thing, Tan continued to make payments to the scammer.

“The scammer told Tan not to be scared and that his payment was ready, and even provided a screenshot of a cheque written out to him.

“Tan admits he had been utterly stupid to fall for this. He only hopes that others will not fall victim like him,” Mr Chong said.

Mr Chong said he believed that the woman in the photos was also a victim, with her details being used by scammers. /dl