KUCHING: A local merchant couple lost about RM50,000 after being deceived by a Facebook Marketplace car ad linked to scammers using WhatsApp, fake agents and a bogus website.
Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Public Complaints Bureau chief Milton Foo said the couple lodged police reports after realising they had made several large payments to an individual posing as a used car sales agent, with the husband filing his report on Oct 10 and the wife on Oct 20.
“The scam began when the couple saw a Facebook Marketplace ad for a second-hand Toyota HiAce Window Van 2018 priced at RM32,000 at the end of September, with an appealing photo of the van, and clicked it, which directed them to WhatsApp.
“This is where the so-called agent requested a RM3,000 deposit, claiming the car was in Bintulu and needed immediate confirmation,” he told reporters during a press conference at his office here on Tuesday.
Without much hesitation, the husband made the first payment of RM3,000 on Sept 26 as the initial deposit.
“The next day, they were asked to pay another RM3,000 for road tax and insurance.
“It didn’t end there — the syndicate then made various other claims, including debt checks and a vehicle release permit from the Road Transport Department (JPJ), before the victims made an additional payment of RM7,200.
“This brings the total amount paid by the victims between Oct 2 and 7 to RM24,696.90, which was transferred into four personal bank accounts,” he said.
He said each time the money was transferred, the syndicate claimed a technical error had occurred and asked for a new transaction, promising to refund any incorrect amount paid.
“The situation worsened when the wife found a website that looked official while trying to verify the matter.
“The site connected them to another ‘agent’ who confirmed that all her husband’s payments were allegedly being processed.
“Believing the site was genuine, the victims were told to make more payments for debt verification and other requirements,” he said.
He added that on Oct 18 and 19, the wife made three more payments totalling RM24,730 — before discovering that the individual had disappeared without a trace.
“Checks with the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) revealed that the company registered in Kelantan used as the syndicate’s identity had ceased on April 5, 2018 and was not related to the car business at all — it was merely registered as a computer and general goods business,” he said.
According to Foo, the tactics used clearly showed that it was an organised fraud network, exploiting an old company identity, personal bank accounts, and a fake website designed to resemble a genuine automotive portal.
He expressed concern that the fraudulent website remained active and urged the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to take immediate action to prevent more victims.
He also reminded the public to be extra cautious with online car sale advertisements, especially those offering unusually low prices.
“Never trust photos alone. Always inspect the vehicle, deal directly with legitimate dealers, and avoid transferring money to unknown individuals,” he said.
