KUCHING: Four individuals became RM67,664 poorer when they were duped into applying for loans via a non-existent scheme advertised on various social media platforms.
State Commercial Crime Investigation Department chief Supt Mustafa Kamal Gani Abdullah said the cases reported happened in Serian, Sibu and Miri (2).
The first case on July 23 involved a 33-year-old woman from Serian when she came across an advertisement of a personal loan on her Facebook news feed.
“The victim then contacted the suspects comprising three men and a woman to apply for a RM30,000 loan. She then proceeded to pay RM28,440 to the suspect as processing fees,” he said.
On Aug 2, when the victim intended to cancel the loan she was again asked to pay a sum of RM23,420 and RM3,744 for the cancellation fees.
He added that all the transacted money will be returned to the victim. The victim accumulated losses was RM55,604 made through 19 transactions to seven different bank accounts.
The second case involved a 30-year-old salesperson from Sibu who received a text message from her social media application (WhatsApp) on July 27, regarding a loan chart of a money lending agency in Johor Bahru.
Mustafa added that the victim then applied for a RM20,000 loan.
“He then presented personal details, bank statement, payslip, Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) statement to the suspect via WhatsApp.
“On the same day the victim was informed that the application has been approved but several payments have to be made including insurance policy premium, Central Credit Reference Information (CCRIS) and opening of a new account,” he said.
Mustafa added that the victim then made two transactions totalling RM2,400 via online banking to the suspect’s account.
“The victim only realised that he has been cheated when the loan amount was not transferred to his account although he has banked in RM2,400,” Mustafa pointed out.
A 26-year-old nurse from Miri was involved in the third case and lost RM9,060 from the same modus operandi.
He pointed out that the victim applied for RM28,000 after she came across an advertisement on Facebook last Thursday (Aug 1)
“The victim made two transactions of RM1,000 and RM8,060 to two bank accounts belonging to the suspect,” he said, adding that the suspect then requested for another RM4,000. However, when the victim realised that she has been cheated she refused to make further payments.
The fourth case also recorded in Miri saw a 45-year-old operations manager who was offered a loan application via WhatsApp on July 29.
“The victim was eager to apply for a RM40,000 loan and was asked to transfer RM600 for processing fees. The victim then requested his wife to transfer the RM600 to the suspect on Aug 2.
“The following day, the victim received a text from an unknown number requesting for a payment of RM1,280 for insurance premium on the loan but the victim refused because he was doubtful of the loan application although he incurred a loss of RM600,” he said.
