‘Gifts used as bait’
KOTA BARU: The Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry has cautioned consumers not to be deceived by the latest tactics employed by a scratch-and-win syndicate in Kelantan.
The tactics see them offering gifts of soap and fragrance as bait to deceive customers.
“Do not be fooled by the gifts of soap and fragrance,” said the ministry’s chief enforcement officer, Fidous Zakaria.
He said the ministry had received 13 complaints.
He added that four more complaints were lodged with the Tribunal for Consumer Claims Malaysia.
“One of the complaints received saw a victim losing RM17,000,” he said, adding that most of the victims comprised professionals and housewives.
“The total loss recorded from April till now is RM100,000,” he said at the ministry’s Hari Raya Aidilfitri event here yesterday.
He said the syndicate would offer free gifts and sweet-talk unsuspecting victims into participating in the scam.
“As soon as the victims show interest, the syndicates will take them to a location and show more expensive gifts.
“But to get the gifts, the victim needs to buy the product by swiping his debit or credit card
“The victims will have to sign documents stating that the goods sold are non-returnable and the money is non-refundable.”
Fidous said the syndicate members had been operating near supermarkets in Pengkalan Chepa, Tumpat and Bukit Bunga.