A 52-YEAR-OLD bank officer was defrauded of RM241,700 after falling victim to an online vehicle scam involving a purported sale of a used Toyota Hilux, prompting police to issue renewed warnings about too-good-to-be-true online deals.
A bank officer has lost RM241,700 in a fraudulent online vehicle purchase after being lured by a Facebook advertisement offering a used Toyota Hilux.
Kuala Terengganu District Police Chief, Assistant Commissioner Azli Mohd Noor, said the 52-year-old victim was drawn to an advert on 4 July promoting a 2017 Toyota Hilux 2.4 Auto, supposedly for sale by a company based at West Port, Port Klang, Selangor.
“The victim contacted the individual via WhatsApp to arrange the purchase with a company that claimed to operate at the port,” he said in a statement on Monday.
Between 9 and 21 July, the victim made 40 separate transactions totalling RM241,700 into 18 different bank accounts.
“He used his personal savings and funds from his Employees Provident Fund (KWSP) to finance the purchase,” said Azli.
Suspicions arose when the supposed seller demanded an additional RM31,000, claiming it was required for a ‘customs fingerprint verification’. The victim, having yet to receive the vehicle, then realised he had been duped.
He lodged a police report at the Kuala Terengganu Police Station at 9:37am on Sunday.
The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating, which carries a penalty of up to 10 years’ imprisonment, whipping, and a fine upon conviction.
Azli urged the public to exercise greater caution and not to be swayed by seemingly attractive deals on social media.
“The public is advised not to be easily deceived by offers of vehicles or goods on social media that appear excessively cheap or unrealistic,” he said. - July 28, 2025
