KUCHING: Scammers are now resorting to physical letters disguised as court orders to trick unsuspecting victims, warned Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Public Complaints Bureau chairman Milton Foo.
One recent case involved Jong, a 35-year-old construction worker, who received a letter at his doorstep claiming he owed around RM14,000 to the Sessions Court in Kuala Lumpur, which prompted him to lodge a police report upon receiving the letter.
The document bore a court seal and a “default judgment” notice, but the phone number listed was fake.
Foo said this was the first time scammers had used physical court-like documents, instead of relying on calls or messages through WhatsApp, Facebook or Telegram.
“Once you call the number provided, you fall into their trap. They pose as officers and eventually coax victims into transferring money to their accounts,” he told a press conference at his office on Tuesday (Sept 9).
He reminded the public that the court would never send orders directly to individuals.
“Court orders are always issued through the plaintiff’s lawyer with a proper cover letter (Urusan Seri Paduka Baginda).
“This letter had none of that, which makes it a clear red flag,” he explained.
Foo added that even the amount stated was suspicious.
“A RM14,000 claim should not be filed in the Sessions Court. The case number was also invalid. To a lawyer’s eye, this is clearly dubious,” he said.
He warned that scammers are constantly evolving their tactics.
“Just like a virus, scams keep mutating. Today it’s a fake court letter, tomorrow it could be one claiming to be from LHDN, the police or customs,” he cautioned.
Foo urged the public not to call numbers listed in suspicious correspondence and instead verify them directly at official counters.
“Always double-check before you act. Never transfer money or share personal details without confirming the source.
“Scammers are getting smarter, but we must stay ahead by being vigilant,” he said.
