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By William Isau
SIBU, July 15: A 30-year-old businessman lost RM30,000 in a currency exchange scam.
Sibu district police chief ACP Zulkipli Suhaili said the commercial crime investigation department received a report from the victim on July 14, who claimed that he was cheated by a fraud syndicate via the WeChat app.
“He received a message on WeChat by the suspect offering to sell US$6,667 at RM30,000, which looked like a good deal (to him),” he said.
As the victim was interested, he made two bank transfers to an account number provided by the suspect.
“When he tried to send receipts of the bank transfer, he was shocked to find that the suspect had blocked him on WeChat,” said ACP Zulkipli.
He realised that he had been cheated and lodged a police report.
ACP Zulkipli advised the public not to be easily deceived and only make online purchase transactions through legitimate sales platforms to ensure that one’s rights as a buyer are always protected.
“Do not simply make payments into a bank account in the name of a different individual than the legitimate seller,” he said.
For further information, the public can refer to the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) at 997 and follow the Facebook page @CyberCrimeAlertRMP @JSJKPDRM.
Those in doubt about bank accounts and phone numbers can also check their validity through http://ccid.rmp.gov.my/semakmule/. — DayakDaily
