By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Jan 9: Stampin MP Chong Chieng Jen has raised concerns over the delay by a national bank in refunding customers affected by a recent investment scam, highlighting that continued questioning of the “source of fund” is leaving victims uncertain about whether their money will be returned.
Another victim, Liew, has yet to receive his refund after investing a total of RM30,000 with a former staff of the bank who allegedly misappropriated customer funds while promoting the bank’s financial products.
Following Chong’s exposure of the scam in late November 2025, the bank’s top management met with him and several victims and promised to expedite the refund process. While some victims have received their money, others, including Mr Liew, are still waiting.
“Mr Liew is one of the victims who is now left in a doldrum. Despite many calls from the bank for clarification and queries on his source of funds for the investment, there is no indication from the bank whether his scammed money will be refunded,” he said in a statement today.
According to Chong, Mr Liew’s investments were made over the teller counter, with RM10,000 invested in June 2024 and RM20,000 in July 2025.
The funds came from a combination of his daughter’s savings account at the bank, withdrawal of a fixed deposit from another bank, and cash from his monthly salary paid in hand by his employer.
“From the bank’s actions, it now seems that anyone holding a few thousand ringgit in cash is presumed to have illicit funds until they can prove the exact source of the money.
“At a time when the bank’s staff was suspected of stealing money from customers on the bank’s premises, the delay in refunding victims and the continued focus on ‘source of fund’ gives the impression that the bank is trying to find fault and avoid taking responsibility for the fraud committed by its officers.
“It is as if having cash in hand is treated as a crime, where one is presumed guilty until proven innocent,” Chong said.
He added that he has written to the bank on behalf of Mr Liew, formally objecting to the delay and calling for the speedy return of his funds.
He also urged the bank to ensure fairness and prompt resolution for all victims affected by the actions of its former officer. — DayakDaily
