By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Nov 4: A 42-year-old local man lost RM30,487.50 after falling victim to an online loan scam involving a fake Boost Bank advertisement on Facebook.
According to a report yesterday, Kuching police chief ACP Alexson Naga Chabu said the victim came across the loan advertisement on Oct 19 while at KPJ Hospital along Jalan Stutong and became interested in applying for the RM20,000 loan.
He subsequently clicked the ‘Apply Now’ button and was contacted by an individual identifying himself as Jeremy Lee from the bank’s finance department.
“On Oct 26, the victim was informed that his RM20,000 loan application had been successfully approved and was instructed to make payments to facilitate the loan process,” Alexson said.
Believing the offer was genuine, the victim made 12 transactions to seven different bank accounts, transferring a total of RM30,487.50.
However, he realised he had been cheated when the promised loan amount was never credited into his bank account.
Alexson said the case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating and dishonestly inducing the delivery of property.
The offence carries a jail term of between one and 10 years, whipping and a possible fine upon conviction.
He advised the public to exercise caution and avoid falling for loan advertisements circulating on social media.
Those with doubts or who suspect they have been scammed can contact the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) at 997 or seek assistance at the nearest police station or bank. —DayakDaily
