A Terengganu trader was deceived into paying RM48,300 for a bulk fabric and gift order from a scammer posing as a government officer.
KUALA TERENGGANU: A woman trader lost RM48,300 after falling victim to an elaborate e-commerce scam conducted via WhatsApp.
The 59-year-old victim received a message on March 3 from a suspect posing as an officer from the Kuala Terengganu Department of Environment.
The suspect purported to want to purchase 50 pieces of ‘kain pasang’ from the victim. They also requested she supply gift sets of ‘bakul senandung’ and keris souvenirs for a breaking-of-fast event.
However, the scammer insisted the victim deal with a supplier they designated. The deceived trader then conducted the transaction with this associate via WhatsApp.
She made three payments totalling RM48,300 to a provided account on March 9. The victim lodged a police report after the ordered items were not delivered and attempts to contact both suspects failed.
Kuala Terengganu district police chief ACP Azli Mohd Noor confirmed the case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.
