In March 2025, a 20-year-old Chinese female student, Li Bowen (pseudonym), arrived in Malaysia with dreams of studying abroad. However, just 9 days later, she tragically jumped from the 39th floor of a building, overwhelmed by the despair of falling victim to a telecommunications fraud, ending her life abruptly. This tragedy not only plunged her family into endless grief but also sounded the alarm again for overseas students to guard against fraud.
"We just wanted to give her the best" — A common family's dream of studying abroad
Li Bowen came from an ordinary working-class family in China. Her parents scrimped and saved just to provide her with a better education. Mrs. Li (pseudonym) tearfully recalled, "The tuition fees in Malaysia are relatively low, and the children of our friends who studied there did well. We thought it was a safe choice." However, fate dealt this family the cruelest blow.
"She was naive and would feel sorry for stray cats and dogs. How could she have imagined that someone could deceive her like this..." Mrs. Li choked up.
5 days deceived, 4 days of agony — A meticulously designed scam
According to police investigations, on her fifth day in Malaysia, Li Bowen received a call from someone claiming to be "Chinese police." The scammer intimidated her with realistic tactics:
False accusations: Claimed she was involved in a transnational money laundering and homicide case and was "wanted"
Fabricated evidence: Sent forged "arrest warrants" and "case documents"
Psychological manipulation: Threatened that if she did not cooperate with the investigation, she would be extradited back to her country and sentenced to more than 10 years in prison
During four days of mental torment, the scammer:
✅Severed her social contacts: Demanded she uninstall social apps and cut off normal communication with friends and family
✅Created a sense of isolation: Warned her that the "case was confidential" and not to disclose it to anyone, otherwise, "the crime would be upgraded"
✅Economic extortion: Forced her to transfer 258,000 yuan (about 150,000 Malaysian ringgit) to "prove her innocence"
500-word suicide note: A final cry for help in despair
On the verge of mental breakdown, Li Bowen sent her mother a 500-word plea for help:
"Mom, please help me! I can only risk asking you... They said if I tell anyone, I will be imprisoned for at least 10 years..."
Upon receiving the message, Mrs. Li immediately realized her daughter was being scammed and frantically tried to contact her, but it was too late—hours later, Li Bowen jumped from the 39th floor of the apartment, ending her young life.
The shadow of scams over the safety crisis of studying in Malaysia
This is not an isolated case. Since 2024, there have been at least 7 cases of Chinese students in Malaysia falling victim to telecommunications fraud, with three suffering significant financial losses, and one (Li Bowen) committing suicide. The scam tactics are highly similar:
Impersonating Chinese police/embassy: Forging official numbers to enhance credibility
Inventing crimes: Claiming the victims are involved in money laundering, drug trafficking, and other serious crimes
Psychological pressure: Threatening "deportation" and "sentencing," forcing victims to transfer money or "cooperate with the investigation"
