KUCHING: A scammer who failed to deceive a victim into a fraudulent loan scheme has now resorted to cyber harassment and privacy invasion, targeting not only the victim but also his immediate family.
The victim, known only as Kenny, had initially engaged in a few WhatsApp conversations on June 2 with a stranger who claimed to offer loan services.
Upon realising it was a scam, Kenny cut off contact. However, what followed was a disturbing escalation.
Stampin MP Chong Chieng Jen, who has since stepped in to assist, said the scammer somehow gained unauthorised access to Kenny’s phone contact list and began harassing his wife, parents, in-laws, and siblings using various phone numbers.
“This is no longer just a scam attempt, it is cyber terrorism and online bullying,” Chong said in a statement.
Even more concerning, Chong said that Kenny never shared any of his relatives’ numbers with the scammer.
“The breach has led him to suspect that his phone was hacked during the WhatsApp exchanges.
“The constant harassment has caused Kenny and his family much embarrassment and emotional stress,” he added.
In a further act of intimidation, Chong stated that the scammer posted Kenny’s personal identification card on two local Facebook pages along with defamatory claims.
The public exposure has compounded the victim’s distress.
Kenny has since lodged police and Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) reports with the assistance of Chong, who helped draft the official complaints earlier Monday.
“This is a serious breach of privacy and an illegal act under existing cyber laws. It could happen to anyone. We urge the authorities to act swiftly and decisively,” he said.
Chong stated that the incident serves as a stark reminder of the growing threat posed by cybercriminals who weaponise digital tools not just for financial gain but also for psychological abuse.
He called on members of the public to remain vigilant against similar scams and to report any suspicious activity to the authorities immediately.
