SIBU, Aug 16: A car workshop operator here was allegedly cheated of RM20,834.40 in a non-existent loan scheme.
According to Sibu District Police Chief ACP Stanley Jonathan Ringgit, the complainant, 52, came to know of the loan offer via Facebook on August 10 and had revealed his phone number for the suspect to contact him.
“Shortly after that, the complainant received a phone call via WhatsApp from a woman who introduced herself as Karen, the agent for the loan company involved, offering a loan of RM100,000 and he agreed to it.”
Stanley disclosed the complainant was asked to send documents and details of his full name, identity card number, bank statement, company statement and business licence on August 13.
“Last Friday (Aug 14), the complainant was informed that his loan had been approved and he needed to make some payments as processing fee.
“That evening, he made five online money transfer transactions totaling RM20,834.40 into a bank account (details of which was) provided by the suspect,” Stanley added.
The complainant then received WhatsApp messages from the alleged company involved informing him that a sum of RM56,852.50 would be deposited to the former’s bank account.
“However, the complainant was asked to make another payment of RM11,370.50 to activate the transaction code.
“It was then that he realised that he has been scammed because the suspect continued to ask for more payments. The complainant then lodged a police report,” Stanley disclosed.
The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating. — DayakDaily
