KUCHING: A total of 14 consumers and a pharmacy have reportedly suffered losses amounting to RM80,509.98 in an alleged online sales scam involving the sale of baby formula, disposable diapers, medicines and household goods through social media platforms.
The figure was disclosed by the Sarawak Consumers Association (SCA), which said it had received 14 complaints from consumers and one complaint from a pharmacy against a local woman suspected of operating the scheme.
According to SCA, the total losses recorded as of June 17 do not include additional complaints that are still undergoing document verification and review.
SCA President, Dr Wynson Ong Teck Ping, said the number of victims and the amount involved warranted serious attention from the public and authorities.
“When a case involves 14 consumers and a pharmacy with losses exceeding RM80,000, and potentially rising to hundreds of thousands of ringgit, it cannot be taken lightly,” he said in a statement today (June 19).
Based on preliminary checks, the association found that transactions initially appeared legitimate, with some buyers receiving the goods they ordered.
This is believed to have increased consumers’ confidence and encouraged repeat purchases, especially when products were offered at promotional prices lower than market rates through social media platforms.
However, complaints indicated that after several successful transactions, payments were allegedly made for subsequent orders but the goods were never delivered despite the agreed delivery period having lapsed.
In a separate case involving a pharmacy, the same individual was alleged to have used a payment receipt that did not reflect the actual amount paid for purchased medicines.
The allegation remains based on a complaint received and requires further investigation by the relevant authorities.
Wynson advised consumers to exercise greater caution when making online purchases, particularly amid rising living costs that have prompted many to seek cheaper deals online.
“The pressure of higher living costs makes consumers more inclined to look for lower-priced offers. However, this also increases the risk of falling victim to scams if transactions are not properly verified beforehand,” he said.
He urged consumers not to make payments hastily without verification, avoid transferring money to personal accounts without confirming the legitimacy of the business, check sellers’ backgrounds before conducting transactions and use secure and traceable payment methods.
SCA also believes there may be additional victims who have yet to come forward and urged them to lodge complaints to assist investigations and prevent others from becoming victims.
The association said the case has attracted the attention of the authorities, with the Sarawak Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) expected to conduct further investigations based on reports received.
Members of the public who have information or have experienced a similar situation may contact the Sarawak Consumers Association’s official hotline at 017-7109299.
