By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Aug 20: Three Chinese nationals were detained by the Malaysian Immigration Department Sarawak following a joint operation with the Sarawak Consumers Association (PPS) over suspected unlicensed home repair services and alleged fraud.
The operation was carried out on Wednesday (Aug 19) following several consumer complaints involving a similar modus operandi, according to PPS president Dr Wynson Ong Teck Ping.
Ong said the three individuals were unable to produce valid identification documents and work permits when they were detained.
“The association has received complaints about individuals advertising home repair services on Facebook, offering free home inspections before claiming to have detected leaks at customers’ properties.
“They would then allegedly offer a repair method using ‘new technology’, involving the drilling of small holes and injection of a certain liquid. Consumers were reportedly charged thousands of ringgit, with payments made into personal bank accounts.
“However, in several complaints received by PPS, the service providers allegedly became unreachable after receiving payment, while the reported leakage problems persisted,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Ong added that the operation also involved observing an inspection at a house which was in good condition and had no leakage problem.
After water was placed around the sink area for observation, the worker allegedly used a device to inspect the area and claimed there was a leak. The worker then drilled a small hole and injected liquid into it.
Ong said the association had received several complaints involving a similar modus operandi and had referred some of the cases to the police’s Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) for further action and investigation.
He said one case had resulted in PPS helping to recover RM3,000 in compensation, while several other complaints had been submitted to the CCID for reference.
“We strongly oppose anyone carrying out work without valid documents or licences and taking advantage of consumers. Regardless of who they are or where they come from, if they are proven to have cheated consumers, this cannot be allowed to continue,” he said.
Ong also urged the police, particularly the CCID, to investigate the complaints collectively to determine whether they were linked to a wider network.
He said investigators should examine possible connections between the cases, the parties involved and the flow of money received from victims.
PPS also hoped the investigation would help victims recover their losses where sufficient evidence exists and prevent the possible use of mule accounts.
The association advised consumers to verify the identity and background of service providers before allowing them into their homes and to obtain written quotations before agreeing to any work.
Consumers should also exercise caution when making payments to personal bank accounts and retain evidence including advertisements, WhatsApp messages, photographs, videos and payment receipts.
PPS thanked the Sarawak Immigration Department for its cooperation in the operation and said it would continue working with enforcement agencies to follow up on consumer complaints. — DayakDaily
