SIBU, Nov 6: The family of Irene Chung who was killed in Taiwan on Oct 29, has been approached by a ‘purported scammer’ who tried to make a quick buck by calling an ex-classmate of the dead girl’s father.
The family’s lawyer, Yap Hoi Liong speaking at a press conference today here, said that someone had disguised himself as Irene’s father, Desmond Chung in the attempted scam.
The press conference took place at the family’s residence. However, the family was not present as they are under a 14-day quarantine after returning from Taiwan with the ashes of their loved one.
“The ex-classmate of Desmond yesterday, received a call from an unknown person who identified himself as Desmond. The ex-classmate was confused and he believed that the caller was Desmond,” said Yap.
According to the ex-classmate, the unknown caller pretended to be the late girl’s father and started the conversation with “Do you know who I am?”
He made a guess and said, “Is this Desmond?”
The suspect replied, ‘yes’.
“The unknown caller then told the ex-classmate that he was robbed of his handphone and asked him to save his new number and that he would invite the would-be victim to his newly set up restaurant next week,” he said.
Yap said the unknown caller today told the ex-classmate that he was settling some documentation at Sibu Municipal Council office and that he needed RM3,000 urgently to pay his contractor.
“The caller asked him to help pay the contractor first and that he would reimburse him by the end of the day. He was given a bank account number to transfer the money,” Yap added.
Fortunately, the ex-classmate called up the late Irene’s father to verify the matter, or else he would have lost his money.
“This should not happen,” the lawyer said.
He calls on the Sibu police chief to initiate investigations through the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
“The authorities must take immediate action to prevent people from taking advantage of
a delicate situation to cheat the family,” said Yap.
He also advised those concerned to verify with the assistant business development manager of Nirvana Holding, Sibu, Kan Wen Chess (0138209521) on any activity or funding of funeral expenses for Irene so that they will not fall victim to scammers.
Chung, a 24-year, student of Chiang Jung Christian University in Tainan, was found dead on Oct 29 and a suspect has been arrested. He had confessed to the murder. -DayakDaily
