Bernama file photo for illustration purposes
SERIAN (Aug 18): A man here lost RM5,000 after falling victim to an online e-commerce scam last Thursday.
Serian district police chief Supt Freddy Bian Stanislaus Bian said the victim had stumbled upon an advertisement posted on Facebook about the sale of a used van purportedly being sold for RM32,000.
“He then contacted the individual who had posted the advertisement via WhatsApp, and was told to make two transactions—one for vehicle booking and the other for insurance and road tax.
“The individual then demanded the victim pay another sum of RM4,800 due to so-called Sales and Services Tax. The victim even provided copies of his identity card and driving licence to the individual.
“Having realised he had been cheated, the victim then refused to make further payments and lodged a police report,” he said in a statement.
Freddy said the police are now investigating the individual involved and conducting checks on the phone number and bank account used by the individual.
The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating and dishonestly inducing a person to deliver property.