Manager loses RM59,00 in online loan scam

KUCHING: A company manager lodged a police report after she was cheated of RM59,000 in an online loan scam.

Sarawak Commercial Crime Investigation Department chief Superintendent Mustafa Kamal Gani Abdullah said that the 42-year old women saw the advertisement in the Internet on Feb 28 and wanted to borrow RM80,000.

The victim then contacted the suspect listed on the advertisement and was asked to make a payment for the loan to be approved.

“The victim made total payment of RM59,000 in seven transactions to five different accounts from March 5 to 18 for the loan approval.

“The victim realised she was scammed when she did not receive the loan after making the payment,” said Mustafa in a statement yesterday.

In another incident, a shopping mall promoter suffered loss of RM7,100 after falling victim to a similar scam.

According to Mustafa, the 27-year-old woman received a message through WhatsApp on March 17 advertising a loan of RM10,000 with monthly repayment of RM158 for seven years.

Attracted by the offer, she made a payment of RM600 for ‘loan process purpose.’

“The victim made total payment of RM7,100 in four transactions to a bank account given by the suspect from March 20 to 23 for loan processing.

“The victim only suspected something was amiss when she did not receive the loan and lodged a police report immediately on Friday (March 22).”

Mustafa said police are tracking the suspect and investigation is on-going.

“Members of the public are advised to be alert to offers of loans in the Internet and social media.

“It is best to take up loans from legitimate financial institutions, registered corporations or licensed money lending companies.

“Loans taken up by the members of the public falls under Financial Services Act 2013, Cooperative Societies Commission Act 2007 and Moneylenders Act 1951,” he said.