A REPRESENTATIVE of a ship repair company in Miri, Sarawak has lost RM117,000 after falling victim to a fake tender scam involving purported marine battery supplies to a shipping firm in Johor.
Miri district police chief ACP Mohd Farhan Lee Abdullah said the victim, a man in his 30s, lodged a police report on Monday after discovering he had been conned.
“The victim received a call from a man who introduced himself as ‘Balan’, using the phone number 019-2768381, offering his company a chance to become a battery supplier for ships,” said Mohd Farhan in a statement.
Believing the offer to be genuine, the victim made four separate bank transfers totalling RM117,000 into an account as instructed by the suspect, supposedly to cover the cost of the batteries.
He only realised it was a scam when the shipping company in question later confirmed that no such order had ever been placed with his firm.
Police are investigating the case under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating, which carries a minimum jail term of one year and up to 10 years, whipping, and a fine upon conviction. - July 17, 2025
