Student ends up RM6,000 poorer in parcel scam ruse

KUANTAN: Befriending a United Kingdom-based male friend on Twitter cost a 20-year-old student in Temerloh RM6,000 in less than a month.

The female victim was eager to receive some promised “expensive gifts” but ended up losing cash to a parcel scam syndicate.

The incident unfolded late last month when the victim got acquainted with the individual, claiming to be living in London, on Twitter.

Pahang Commercial Crime Investigation Department chief Superintendent Mohd Wazir Mohd Yusof said on Feb 3, the friend texted the victim saying he had sent her a gold chain, handphone and RM20,000 cash.

He said the victim initially declined the gifts but later agreed to receive the parcel which was sent via a courier company.

“Later the same day, the victim received a text message from a courier company staff allegedly from Genesis Logistics Services who told the victim to pay RM1,500 to receive the parcel. She transferred the cash through online banking.

“On Feb 4, the victim was told by the courier company to deposit RM3,000 as the parcel was held by the Customs Department.

The victim only managed to transfer RM1,500 through online banking,” he said.

Wazir said a staff contacted the victim again on Feb 24 demanding that she pay the remaining RM1,500 (for Customs) and late charges fine amounting to RM3,000.

“After she paid the RM3,000, she received another text message asking her to deposit RM8,500 before the parcel would be delivered to her doorstep.

“When the caller began to demand that she pay up, the victim realised that she had been cheated and lodged a police report onThursday,” he said.

Wazir said investigations revealed that the victim had deposited the RM6,000 cash into accounts which were under the names of several individuals.

Wazir said the case was being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating, which provides for a maximum jail term of 10 years and whipping, and a fine if convicted.