#NSTviral: Hawker reveals being scammed after ink bleeds on fake RM100 note [WATCH]

New Straits Times

7 hours ago

KUALA LUMPUR: A hawker has gone viral on social media after claiming to have been scammed by a customer who allegedly paid with a counterfeit RM100 note.
The mixed fritter trader, who shared the incident via the TikTok account @kakemikitchen, expressed frustration over being scammed during a routine sale.
"Even small-time traders get cheated with counterfeit money," she wrote in the caption of the video.
In the video, the seller explained that the note initially appeared genuine, complete with what seemed like watermark features and the image of the first Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
The forgery was only discovered later when water came into contact with the note, causing the ink to bleed and the colours to fade, a telltale sign of a counterfeit.
"You be the judge. Does this look like real money to you?" the seller asked.
The incident drew widespread sympathy from the social media platform users, many of whom expressed outrage over the use of fake currency against small business operators.
User @wiwisofia8 said; "How could they have the heart to pay with counterfeit money? May Allah replace it (the trader) with something better."
Another user @abdulhadi8519 said; "Scammers often take advantage of busy and hectic moments. So in the future, be sure to thoroughly check any cash received, especially when there's a crowd."
User @becaantik said; "Use QR code, it is safer that way."
Some of the users also suggested precautionary steps such as checking notes under UV light or adopting digital payment methods like QR codes.
Others also said that the customer may not have known the note was counterfeit.