KUCHING: A 71-year-old woman lost more than half a million ringgit after falling for a lucrative part-time job offer on the social media platform, TikTok.
This is one of nearly 50 similar scams reported in the district this year.
Kuching District Police Chief, ACP Alexson Naga Chabu, said the woman was duped into transferring RM527,130 across 23 transactions into 16 different bank accounts after being promised high commissions for completing tasks on an online platform known as TK Shop.
“The ordeal began on September 1, when the victim received a message from an unknown individual offering her online part-time work.
“She was enticed by the promise of receiving a commission each time she completed the assigned tasks and was then given several predetermined tasks in order to earn the commissions.
“The victim only realised she had been cheated when the promised commissions never came,” he said in a statement today.
He added that between January 1 and November 29, the district’s Commercial Crime Investigation Division has opened 49 investigation papers involving the same modus operandi, with total reported losses reaching RM2.27 million, including this case.
Police are investigating the latest case under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating and dishonestly inducing the delivery of property, an offence punishable by up to 10 years’ imprisonment, whipping, and a fine.
Alexson reminded the public to remain vigilant and avoid social media job offers that promise unusually high returns.
“Verify suspicious bank accounts or phone numbers via the Semak Mule portal at https://semakmule.rmp.gov.my) or call the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) hotline at 997 within 24 hours if you suspect you have been scammed,” he said.
He also urged the public to report suspicious activities to the Sarawak Commercial Crime Investigation Department via 011-62890089 or kjsjkswk@rmp.gov.my.
