KUCHING: A private company manager in his 40s has lost more than RM120,000 after falling victim to an online car purchase scam advertised through Facebook.
Sarawak Police Commissioner, Dato Mancha Ata, said the victim had come across a car advertisement on the social media platform in early August while at home. After clicking the link provided, he was connected via WhatsApp to a man posing as an agent of Y and B Expert Sdn. Bhd.
“The victim was tricked into making multiple transactions into a bank account provided by the suspect, amounting to approximately RM120,000.
He realised he had been cheated when the suspect continued to demand further payments to proceed with the purchase. Until the police report was lodged, the victim had yet to receive the car,” Mancha said in a statement today.
Mancha reminded the public not to be easily swayed by online advertisements offering goods at unusually low prices. He urged buyers to always conduct proper checks before making any online purchases.
He further advised the public to verify companies and websites through official platforms such as Bank Negara Malaysia (www.bnm.gov.my / BNM Telelink 1-300-88-5465) and the Securities Commission Malaysia (www.sc.com.my / 03-62048999).
Individuals who have just made fund transfers to suspicious accounts in cases of cyber fraud, including phone scams, love scams, e-commerce scams, and non-existent loans, should immediately contact the National Scam Response Center (NSRC) at 997.
Mancha said the public is also encouraged to download the Whoscall application via Google Play Store or Apple Store to help identify suspicious numbers. Through PDRM’s collaboration with the app developer, numbers listed in the Commercial Crime Investigation Department’s (JSJK) database can be flagged as scam-related.
Checks on investment companies and individuals can also be made through the Investment Checker app or at https://www.sc.com.my/investment-checker, while phone numbers and bank accounts of suspected scammers can be verified through the Check Scammers CCID app or the portal http://semakmule.rmp.gov.my.
He urged members of the public to follow the official social media accounts of the Commercial Crime Investigation Department at @JSJKPDRM and @CyberCrimeAlertRMP on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and scam tactics.
By Connie Chieng