Cafe operator conned of RM76,500 in online loan scam

Scam alert. — DayakDaily.com file pic // Photo: Pixabay

SIBU, April 6: A 30-year-old cafe operator hoping to get a loan was cheated of RM76,500 today.

Sibu district police chief, ACP Stanley Jonathan Ringgit said at about 8pm yesterday, the victim’s attention was drawn to an advertisement for a loan package on social media.

“As he was interested in taking up a loan of RM20,000 he clicked on the link. At about 10am today, the victim received a message on his WhatsApp from a suspect who identified himself as a loan agent from a bank,” he said.

Stanley added that the victim was told by the suspect that he was qualified to take up a loan of up to RM100,000.

“He was told to send three copies of his bank account statements and to pay RM76,500 for the processing fee and other charges,” he said.

The cafe operator then made a total of 25 transfers for that amount to five different bank account numbers provided by the suspect.

“However after making the transfers, he wanted to halt his application as he felt that he had been conned,” Stanley said.

The victim later lodged a report seeking the police to take further action.

The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating. — DayakDaily