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KUCHING, July 26: An event manager in his mid-30s from Kuching lost RM1.2 million to a non-existing online part-time sales job offer.
Sarawak Commissioner of Police Dato Mohd Azman Ahmad Sapri said the scam began when the victim connected with a woman named ‘Emma’ allegedly from Vietnam through the dating app Tinder.
“The victim was enticed with promises of a 1.1 per cent return if he takes up the part-time job and will also receive commissions for selling goods.
“He (victim) communicated with the suspect through WhatsApp and Telegram as well as through video call regarding the part-time job,” he said in a press statement today.
The victim was directed to use a separate app with the link ‘Clickmart.site’ and an ID for access.
Over the period of May 15, 2023, to Jul 13, 2023, the victim made 27 payment transactions to seven different bank accounts, ultimately resulting in the loss of RM1.2 million.
However, the victim only received a return of RM20,000 before realising he had been deceived as he no longer receive the promised returns and commissions.
Mohd Azman strongly urged the public to be cautious of job offers from social media platforms that promise high pay and various benefits such as commissions, high returns, and overtime payments.
He advised against entertaining calls from unknown sources and encouraged people to inform their spouses, partners, close friends, or family members about suspicious calls.
“Don’t panic or get anxious or become easily frightened by any claims against you if you did not do anything wrong,” he emphasised.
In the event of becoming a victim of cyber crimes, such as phone scams, love scams, e-commerce scams, or fake loans, individuals can reach out to the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) at 997. If a monetary transaction has been recently completed through a bank account or e-wallet, immediate action is advised.
The public are encouraged to scan the ‘Scan Me’ QR code on JSJK’s official social media account and commercial crime e-book to obtain the latest information on commercial crime modus operandi.
It is also advisable to check suspect phone numbers and bank accounts using the JSJK’s Check Scammers application or by visiting the website http://semakmule.rmp.gov.my before engaging in any financial transactions.
To stay updated on cyber-related crimes, individuals are encouraged to visit JSJK’s official social media accounts, namely JSJKPDRM and CYBERCRIMEALERTRMP, on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. — DayakDaily
