Latest news with #MCAPublicServicesandComplaintsDepartment
The Star
2 days ago
- The Star
Alleged 'Datuk Seri' scam claims more victims in Kuala Lumpur
KUALA LUMPUR: Two more individuals are believed to have fallen victim to a scam involving a man falsely claiming to hold the honorific title of "Datuk Seri." Two days ago, MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head Datuk Seri Michael Chong revealed that his office had received six reports from individuals who were allegedly scammed by a person posing as a "Datuk Seri." One victim reportedly lost RM400,000 to the individual, who claimed to be running an investment scheme. Chong mentioned that the man in question had previously contacted his office and requested a press conference to clear his name, but later withdrew, citing health concerns. "He claimed he couldn't attend due to high blood pressure," Chong told reporters at a press conference held at Wisma MCA on Monday (July 28). Following the exposure of the alleged scam, Chong said the individual had threatened legal action against both him and the Council of Datuk-Datuk Malaysia (MDDM). "We have no intention of apologising. If he truly holds the title, he should come forward and prove its authenticity. He claims to be a 'Datuk Seri' with the phrase 'Ahli Istana Anak Angkat' above his name - but is that legitimate?' Chong questioned. Chong also displayed a copy of an identity card allegedly belonging to the man's partner, who referred to herself as "Putri," noting that the listed residential address was linked to the title "Undang Luak Johol Ke-14." He said the documents would be submitted to the Datuk Lembaga Suku Biduanda Raja Balang Luak Johol for verification. Chong urged others who may have fallen victim to the scam to lodge police reports. MDDM president Datuk Samson David Maman said the council had also received two calls from individuals claiming they were deceived by the same person, although the victims had yet to come forward. "We regularly receive complaints about bogus 'Datuk' or 'Datuk Seri' titles. We urge the public to verify any such claims through the official Bahagian Istiadat dan Urusetia Persidangan Antarabangsa website," he said. Meanwhile, Datuk Hamzah Limin, the Datuk Lembaga Suku Biduanda Raja Balang Luak Johol, reiterated that traditional titles under the Luak Johol jurisdiction are only valid if recommended by the Datuk Undang Johol and officially conferred by the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan at Istana Besar Seri Menanti. "Any conferment carried out outside of official state ceremonies—such as in hotels or private venues—is not valid," he stressed. Hamzah also warned the public against the misuse of traditional symbols and titles, noting that some individuals have used unauthorised emblems, forged documents, and royal-style language such as "Duli Yang Maha Mulia," which is reserved exclusively for the state ruler. He added that such acts are now punishable under existing laws. "No titles such as 'anak angkat', 'puteri', or 'putera' have been issued by the current Datuk Undang. The public must remain alert to avoid being misled," he said.
Barnama
5 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
Public Warned Against Fake 'Datuk Seri' Titles Used In Investment Scams
KUALA LUMPUR, July 25 (Bernama) -- At least six individuals have fallen victim to scams involving the misuse of the 'Datuk Seri' title, with total losses estimated at nearly half a million ringgit, says MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head Datuk Seri Michael Chong. He said one of the reports involved a man falsely claiming to be an 'Ahli Istana Anak Angkat' to gain the trust of victims and solicit investments, including a case where a Datin lost RM400,000. 'We've checked with the Istana and there is no such title. It's completely fabricated,' he told a press conference at Wisma MCA here today. Chong said three of the six cases were business-related scams while the others were enquiries — some from overseas — to verify the legitimacy of individuals claiming to hold honorific titles. He added that the scammer had exploited public events and official functions by placing his name and image among VIPs and ministers to boost credibility. Meanwhile, Majlis Datuk Persekutuan Malaysia (MDPM) president Datuk Alvin Tee Guan Pian reminded the public that federal titles were only awarded to those who had made significant contributions to the nation. 'Fake titleholders often use these credentials to secure business deals and contracts. The Securities Commission takes illegal investment schemes seriously, and offenders can be charged in court,' he said. Separately, the President of Majlis Datuk Dato' Malaysia (MDDM), Datuk Samson David Maman, has urged the relevant parties to expedite proposed amendments to the Awards Act 2017 (Act 787) to curb the misuse of honorific titles. "It's going internally. But we know there are many proposed amendments across various acts. Ours is just one of them. Time will come when we are on the priority list,' he said at the same press conference.
The Star
5 days ago
- The Star
Beware of fake ‘Datuk Seri' scammers, warns MCA complaints chief
KUALA LUMPUR: The public has been warned to remain vigilant against individuals falsely claiming to hold the title of 'Datuk Seri' to lure victims into investing in fraudulent schemes. MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head Datuk Seri Michael Chong said his office has received six reports involving such scams, including one victim who claimed to have lost RM400,000. 'We received reports and a photo of a man claiming to be a Datuk Seri and an 'Ahli Istana Anak Angkat' written on top of his name. 'We've checked with the Palace and there is no such title. It's completely fabricated. 'The complainants lost so much money - the amount varies, with one person investing RM400,000. One of the complainants is herself a Datin,' he said during a press conference at Wisma MCA here on Friday (July 25). Chong said the scammer in question is soliciting investments in an illegal financial scheme. 'After we interviewed the victims, they admitted they were misled into trusting him because they thought his title was genuine. 'They've now come forward to seek advice from us,' Chong added. The scammer's state of origin remains unknown, but Chong confirmed that a police report has been lodged. There have also been dubious claims made about an alleged quota for such titles. 'As far as we know, no such quota exists,' he said. Chong urged the public to verify the legitimacy of honorific titles through the Bahagian Istiadat dan Urusetia Persidangan Antarabangsa website ( 'Key in the name and if the person truly holds a Datuk title, it will appear. If you're unsure, you can also contact us or the Majlis Datuk-Datuk Malaysia (MDDM) for verification.' He said the Majlis Datuk Persekutuan Malaysia (MDPM) and MDDM are actively addressing this issue, stressing that impersonating titleholders is a serious offence. 'People don't just misuse the 'Datuk' title, but also 'Datuk Seri' and 'Tan Sri'. So far, no scammer has claimed to be a 'Tun' yet,' Chong added. He said MDDM has been pushing for amendments to Act 787 to empower police to take swifter action against individuals using fraudulent titles. 'We've been advocating for this for years. We understand the proposed changes have gone through the Attorney General's Chambers, and though the process is slow, it is progressing.' Chong called on the public to be extra cautious when approached for business deals, particularly by individuals flaunting dubious titles. 'If someone claiming to be a Datuk Seri is asking for money, that's already a red flag.'
The Star
22-07-2025
- The Star
'Ah long' posing a debtor's mistress harasses family members for payment
PETALING JAYA: Gone are the days of red paint with loan sharks now employing more "obscure" tactics to mentally torment debtors and their families. According to MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head Datuk Seri Michael Chong, loan sharks are now masquerading as the debtor's mistress to harass family members for their money. One such victim, a 32-year-old who only wanted to be known as Ng, told a press conference at Wisma MCA that a so-called mistress of her father had started harassing her family since July 2024. She claimed that the woman demanded RM300,000 from the family as payment for a loan allegedly taken by her father. The woman suddenly showed up at her grandmother's home demanding that the family take responsibility. Ng said that this was not the first time loan sharks had approached her family as her father was a habitual borrower with the family already settling RM150,000 of his past debts. "We confronted my father last year demanding to know if he actually had a mistress and he denied it. He has since disappeared for the last six months and this woman continues to harass us over this money," she said. The "mistress" had also posted photos of her father at the complainant's aunt's house to mount pressure on the family to pay up. Chong said that it is highly unlikely that the woman was a mistress. "What mistress would have a loan agreement for this sort of matter? We urge the father to come out to settle this issue," he said.
The Star
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Fans outraged after organisers disappear with concert refunds
MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head Datuk Seri Michael Chong during a press conference at Wisma MCA in Kuala Lumpur. — MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI/The Star KUALA LUMPUR: Fans of a Korean singer, whose fan meeting here was cancelled, are demanding refunds from the organisers, who they claim have disappeared. A group, headed by a woman known as Saza, announced that the event featuring Korean singer Onew, titled the 'Guess Onew Fanmeeting 2024', was initially scheduled for July 27. However, the venue was altered before the event was ultimately cancelled. Fans who purchased tickets through an online portal were informed that the refund had been returned to the event organisers. 'We were told that the refund process would begin in August and be fully completed by December. However, we have yet to get any refunds at all. 'In the meantime, the event organiser has continued to conduct events, with at least three we know of since the cancellation of this one,' Saza, who also works as a lawyer, said. MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head Datuk Seri Michael Chong, who organised the press conference for the group, stated that several members had taken the issue to the Tribunal for Consumer Claims and had received a decision allowing them to pursue their refunds. He added that the group had collectively lost around RM20,000 from the unfulfilled tickets. However, efforts to serve the letter to the company have been unsuccessful, with the group claiming that the premises had been vacated. 'We will give them a week to respond to us. I hope they will come so we can solve this matter without requiring a civil suit. 'If they fail to do so, then we will need to move on to the second step, and we will cross that bridge if we are forced to,' he said. Saza added that they have tried numerous avenues to retrieve their money, including getting in contact with the talent agency that had planned to bring the singer over. She added that they were told they were in a legal dispute with the organiser. 'I pity the foreign fans the most because they do not have the avenue to come here to fight this in person,' she said.
