Reload coupon profiteers nabbed

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STERN ACTION: MDTCC Sibu branch deputy chief Ganda Jirap (right) and enforcement officer Jeremy Julius show the reload cards seized from a phone shop operator.

Undercover MDTCC officers catch culprits selling RM5 prepaid cards at RM5.50 each

SIBU: A stranger walked into a shop selling mobile phone reload coupons in Mukah sometime last week, and ordered a RM5 reload coupon. The phone shop owner gleefully obliged but asked for RM5.50 instead of the stated RM5.

He was duly booked for his “customer” turned out to be one of four undercover enforcement officers from the Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism (MDTCC) who were specifically sent by its office here to nip reload coupon profiteering in the bud.

In that incident, 12 prepared cards valued at RM60 were seized.

At about 4pm yesterday, a similar incident happened at a leading shopping mall here. Five enforcement officers raided the shop which was selling RM5 reload cards at RM5.50 too. Two reload cards were confiscated.

MDTCC Sibu chief Balraj Singh told The Borneo Post said yesterday that he believed a significant number of students, housewives and rural folk had become ‘sitting ducks’ for these unscrupulous reload coupon agents.

He said these profiteers knew this segment of end-users usually opted for prepaid services rather than post-paid ones and they pounced to rake in more profits.

“Handphone business is growing and most people have one to stay in touch. But, you see, not everyone can afford to take up a post-paid line.

“Generally, students, housewives or rural folk would prefer prepaid as they have their own budget, enabling to control their usage.”

He pointed out that although the additional charges might be a matter of several cents, the excess profits could be quite substantial when there’s volume.

He said the operator had violated Section 12(1)(a) of the Consumer Protection Act 1999 and the case had been referred to their headquarters in Putrajaya for further action.

“Such unethical acts tantamount to misleading consumers and this is a serious offence. Upon conviction, offenders can be fined up to RM50,000 or sentenced to three years’ jail or both.”

Companies, he added, could be fined up to RM100,000.

Balraj disclosed that the raiding party was despatched to Mukah following a consumer complaint.

He assured that his men would continue to keep a hawk eye on such activities in Mukah as it is home to a number of institutions of higher learning.

Balraj said these unscrupulous businessmen were very “cunning” and would prey on consumers who were not aware of their rights.

To put the brakes on their unhealthy business practice, Balraj advised members of the public to alert his office if they came across such activities.

 

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