KEPALA BATAS – An e-hailing driver and a clerk lost a total of RM13,410 after falling prey to an online money lending syndicate.
Both victims were told to pay a “processing fee” for the money they wished to borrow. The e-hailing driver ended up losing RM10,360, and the clerk RM3,050.
Seberang Prai Utara district police chief Asst Comm Noorzainy Mohd Noor said both victims, applied for loans after coming across advertisement purportedly from banks, om social media.
The victims were then called by a man who claimed to be a bank agent offering personal loan online.
Both victims then made a series of online money transfers amounting to the online scammer.
“The e-hailing driver felt cheated after checking with the bank and was informed, the bank had never advertised through social media. He then came to the police station to lodge a report,” Noorzainy said.
Both cases are being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for fraud which provides for a maximum jail term of ten years, whipping and the accused can also be fined if convicted.
“Police are conducting investigations on the accounts where the victims' money was transferred to,” he said.
Noorzainy advised the public not to be fooled by syndicates and said borrowers usually do not have to make any payments for the processing of loans
“People should never apply for any loans through advertisements posted on social media,” he said. – The Vibes, October 31, 2020
