By DayakDaily Team
SIBU, Nov 22: A company director in his 20s here lost RM33,998 after falling victim to an online sales scam involving an individual impersonating an officer from the Malaysia Department of Agriculture.
In a news report by TVS, Sibu District Police chief ACP Zulkipli Suhaili stated that the victim received a WhatsApp message from the suspect offering a supply contract, with the condition that the purchase be made through a third-party company.
“The victim made two payments on Nov 15 and 18 to the account provided by the suspect.
“However, after contacting the Sarikei Agriculture Department, the victim discovered that no such contract existed as claimed,” he said in a statement yesterday (Nov 21).
He explained that the syndicate’s modus operandi involves targeting supply companies by impersonating government agencies to deceive victims.
Zulkipli further stated that the case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.
“To date, eight similar cases have been reported in Sibu this year, with total losses amounting to RM102,935.
“These scams often use the names of government agencies such as the Department of Agriculture, Public Works Department (JKR), and the Ministry of Health (MoH),” he added.
He urged the public to be more cautious of suspicious business offers and to verify with relevant agencies before making any payments.
For assistance, the public can contact the National Scam Response Centre at 997 or check suspicious account numbers on the official website at https://ccid.rmp.gov.my/semakm. — DayakDaily
