
Lecturer loses over RM290,000 to scammers posing as cop, e-commerce platform rep
01 Jul 2025 05:19pm
Photo for illustration purposes only.
KUANTAN - A lecturer has lost RM294,000 after falling victim to a syndicate claiming to be a police officer and representative of an e-commerce company.
Pahang police chief Datuk Seri Yahaya Othman said a man, aged 44, had received a telephone call on April 30 from an individual claiming to be a representative of e-commerce platform Lazada, saying that the victim's telephone number had been used for fraudulent activities.
"The victim was then connected to another individual posing as a police officer who accused the victim of being involved in document forgery and money laundering cases. The suspect also threatened the victim with imprisonment and whipping," he said in a statement today. A lecturer has lost RM294,000 after falling victim to a syndicate claiming to be a police officer and representative of an e-commerce company.
He said the suspect also ordered the victim to report (to them) five times per day via phone, WhatsApp and video calls.
Due to panic over the threat, he said the victim made 17 transactions to 11 different bank accounts through online banking and cash deposit machines (CDM), involving a total amount of RM294,000.
"The money was obtained from personal savings, family and a bank loan," he said.
In addition, Yahaya advised the public not to panic easily if they receive suspicious calls, and to immediately verify with the police or relevant agencies.
"The public is also encouraged to verify account numbers and phone numbers received through the link https://semakmule.rmp.gov.my before making any financial transactions," he added. - BERNAMA

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
LPG cartel busted: 4,500 cylinders seized in night raid
KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 4,500 gas cylinders were seized during a raid by the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) at a warehouse in Jalan Ipoh, following a month-long intelligence operation into the large-scale misappropriation of subsidised liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Kuala Lumpur KPDN director Mohd Sabri Seman said the same premises had been raided in August last year, and action was taken against the operator. However, continued surveillance revealed that illegal activity had resumed. The syndicate is believed to have transferred subsidised LPG from 14kg household cylinders into 50kg industrial ones, a method known as decanting. "The subsidised gas, purchased at RM22 per unit, was transferred and resold in industrial cylinders for between RM180 and RM240," he said. About 4,500 cylinders of various sizes, with an estimated retail market value of RM400,000, were seized in the raid. Sabri said the decanting process involved the use of ice blocks to cool the gas cylinders, and the frequent entry of ice trucks into the compound raised suspicions. The repackaged gas was supplied to local businesses, including factories, hotels, and restaurants. Although the premises held a valid LPG wholesale licence and operated legitimately during the day, it allegedly misused subsidised gas at night to avoid detection. Investigations also revealed the syndicate was operating under multiple business entities—four to five different companies across Kuala Lumpur—to avoid being traced. "Each time a company is raided, they change names and locations but continue the same night-time decanting activities. We believe it's the same cartel, operating under a new name," he said. The raid, which began at 11.20pm, also led to the arrest of two Bangladeshi nationals, who claimed they had only recently started working at the warehouse and had never met their employer, believed to be a local. Checks revealed both had valid work permits—but for the construction sector, not for handling gas. "The local owner of the premises has been identified. The detained foreign workers will be handed over to the Immigration Department for further action," Sabri said. The case is being investigated under Sections 21 and 61 of the Control of Supplies Act 1961.


The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Debtors given ‘funerals'
Under torment: Chong (seated, left) and Ivan (right) holding a conference alongside the three ah long victims in Kuala Lumpur. Loan sharks hold mock wakes in new intimidation tactic KUALA LUMPUR: They used to issue threats, throw paint and even firebomb homes. Now, ah long have gone one step further – they are 'killing' borrowers. Well, not literally. Instead, they are holding 'elaborate funerals' for the defaulters and posting their actions on social media, reveals Datuk Seri Michael Chong. The MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head said a victim by the name of Tan saw a portrait of himself in a wake setting, with curses hurled using a joss stick shared on Facebook. It caused confusion about his death and embarrassment for Tan. It is also taboo for the Chinese to have a funeral when they are alive. 'The man had borrowed RM10,000 in February for his business and had paid RM6,000. 'Previously he had taken five different loans totalling RM50,000, all of which had been settled. 'On June 26, the ah long sent him a picture of a staged wake, which has since been deleted. 'This kind of intimidation shows how low they can go. They are using psychological fear against borrowers,' he said at Wisma MCA yesterday. Chong also spoke about another man named Chan, who is facing constant demands to pay more from a suspected runner going by the name of Kai Qiang. 'The man had borrowed RM700 but paid RM1,000 to Kai Qiang. 'I suspect that this person, who is a runner, has gone rogue without the knowledge of the boss. 'We have a duty to expose such individuals because some of these money lenders are legitimate,' he said. Chan had borrowed from nine different loan sharks, and has settled two on his own. For the remaining seven, he has managed to settle RM4,800 out of RM12,500. In another case, Chong said a mother had disowned her son Chang Kok Wah, 37, from Cheras who left home on June 17, leaving his mother and family members to face threats from ah long. Faced with demanding phone calls and threats to kidnap her grandchildren, Kuek Bee Bee, 63, from Cheras pleaded for the harassment to stop. 'Madam Kuek paid RM13,000 of the debts in May, but the son borrowed more. They don't know his whereabouts since he left. 'The family was even locked out of their home with an iron chain and padlock with a note instructing them to contact several numbers. The family lodged three reports in June,' Chong said. As of June, the MCA has received 165 ah long related cases involving a sum of RM18.6mil of which over 85% are from the Chinese community, Chong added. The bureau's deputy chief Ivan Tan said stricter laws were needed to address the issue of loan sharks.


Daily Express
2 hours ago
- Daily Express
Man released on 2-year good behaviour bond
Published on: Wednesday, July 02, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jul 02, 2025 By: Cynthia D Baga Text Size: The offence under Section 22(1) of the Animals Welfare Enactment 2015 and punishable under Section 22(2) of the same Act provides for a fine of up to RM75,000, or a jail term of up to two years, or both, on conviction. Kota Kinabalu: A 24-year-old man was released on two years of good behavior bond for not exercising reasonable care and supervision in relation to the welfare of his Siberian husky. The pet was cruelly beaten by a septuagenarian who was also charged and sentenced accordingly, after killing two turkeys and in self-defence. Sessions Court Judge Hurman Hussain handed the sentence to Brandon Tim Tony who pleaded guilty to the charge against him. Brandon was released on bond with RM2,000 in a local surety and with no conviction record. Apart from that, he was also ordered to attend an animal welfare awareness training session organised by the Sabah Department of Veterinary Services (DVS). Brandon had failed to provide reasonable care and supervision concerning the animal's welfare or protection from cruelty of his dog at 1.30pm on Dec 31, 2024 at a house in Taman Donggongon, Penampang. The offence under Section 22(1) of the Animals Welfare Enactment 2015 and punishable under Section 22(2) of the same Act provides for a fine of up to RM75,000, or a jail term of up to two years, or both, on conviction. Previously, on Apr 14, this year, Brandon pleaded guilty to the same charge, but his plea was rejected after he disputed the facts of the case that were read to him. Prosecuting Officer Francis Palikat from DVS informed the court that Brandon through his counsel, had submitted a representation letter to the Sabah State Attorney General's Office, requesting that his client be released on a good behaviour bond. The prosecution also confirmed that the representation had been received. According to the facts of the case, on the day of the incident at around 11.30am, Brandon found that his pet dog, a four-year-old male Siberian Husky named Coby, was missing from the fenced compound of his house. At around 1.30pm, Brandon found his dog weak and covered in blood on the head and mouth, within a fenced area behind a house located 50 to 60 metres from his home. Brandon's mother later lodged a police report regarding the incident at 4.41pm the same day, while the owner of that house, Yong Chen Fah, had made a report earlier at around 2.41pm. A site inspection found that Brandon's house had a fence that was tall and sturdy enough to prevent the dog from escaping. There were no gaps allowing the dog to slip out, and the fence had a locking mechanism that was difficult to open from the outside. However, the owner had not put up a 'Beware of Dog' warning sign and had not provided a suitable leash or collar for control when not at home. The house also did not have a closed-circuit camera (CCTV) system. Meanwhile, an inspection of Yong's property found that the fence around the turkey coop at the back of the house was not tall or secure enough, with large gaps that allowed the dog to enter. The house also lacked security systems such as CCTV. During the investigation, Yong admitted to injuring the dog by throwing stones and hitting it on the head four to five times with a wooden stick after it entered his livestock enclosure and attacked his pet turkeys. According to an examination and treatment by the veterinarian who treated the dog, the animal suffered from optic nerve neuritis in the right eye due to traumatic injury. In addition, the dog sustained injuries to the forehead, a fractured left molar tooth, and a severe ulcer in the right eye. The dog underwent 'corneal repair' and a 'third eyelid flap' procedure because its right eye had ruptured. Brandon's failure to properly care for and supervise his pet dog resulted in the animal suffering injuries due to negligence. Brandon was represented by counsel Batholomew Jingulam. Earlier, media reported that Yong, a senior citizen, was fined RM4,000 after pleading guilty to injuring the Siberian Husky that had entered his property and killed his pet turkeys. He paid the fine. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia