KUANTAN: An electrician planned to borrow RM27,300 to set up his own food business but instead he ended up losing RM25,390 after being conned by a bogus money lending syndicate.
The 37-year-old victim's nightmare began on July 9 when he contacted a money-lending service agent through WhatsApp and was told to make several payments to secure the loan.
Pahang Commercial Crime Investigation Department chief Superintendent Mohd Wazir Mohd Yusof said the victim assumed that the payments were part of the procedures and made nine transactions amounting to RM25,390 between July 10 and July 29.
“The victim was sweet-talked into paying for processing, insurance and documentation fees so that his loan will be approved. He transferred cash between RM590 and RM5,000 on each occasion when requested by the suspect.
“The victim only realised he was cheated after he failed to contact the bogus moneylender after making the payment on July 29. Such a case could be avoided if the victim had sought help from his family or relatives instead of complete strangers,” he said today.
Meanwhile, in a separate case, Wazir said a deputy director of a government agency was duped RM3,210 after he purchased gemstone from the social media.
Wazir said an advertisement on the gemstone had caught the attention of the 33-year-old while he was browsing through Facebook and decided to contact the seller.
“The victim banked in RM5,010 but only received valuables worth RM1,000. Several days later, the victim met the seller in Kapar, Selangor and demanded him to return RM 4,010.
“Several days later, the suspect transferred RM800 to the victim's bank account before he could no longer be contacted. The victim who realised that he has been cheated lodged a police report,” he said.
Wazir said both cases were being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating, which provides for a maximum jail term of 10 years and whipping, and a fine if convicted.