Scammer harasses victim, family after foiling WhatsApp loan scam
Chong (left) in a meeting with Kenny (second right) during the latter's visit to lodge a complaint at the office.
KUCHING (June 16): A local man who managed to avert a scam attempt via WhatsApp recently is facing online harassment from the scammer, said Democratic Action Party Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen.
The Stampin MP said the victim, who wished to be known only as Kenny, suspected that his phone had been hacked by the scammer during their exchange of WhatsApp messages.
He said Kenny had received several WhatsApp calls and messages on June 2 from an unknown individual claiming to offer loans.
'After a few exchanges, Kenny realised that it was a scam and began to ignore the caller. However, the scammer somehow managed to obtain the contact details of everyone in Kenny's contact list.
'The caller not only continued to harass Kenny through his number, but also began calling, harassing and WhatsApp messaging Kenny's wife, parents, in-laws and his siblings,' Chong said in a statement today, after meeting the victim, who had sought his assistance to lodge a complaint with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
Chong said the ongoing harassment has caused the victim a great deal of stress and embarrassment.
He said Kenny was left with no choice but to lodge reports with both the police and MCMC, in hopes that authorities could track down the perpetrator and stop the harassment.
'The victim had never shared any relatives' contact details with the caller, yet they were all targeted,' he added.
To make matters worse, the scammer allegedly posted Kenny's identity card on Facebook, along with false accusations.
Chong, who is also Padungan assemblyman and a lawyer, said what the scammer's actions amount to online harassment and bullying.
'It could happen to anyone, and therefore it is crucial for the authorities to act swiftly and effectively. If not, anyone could fall victim to such acts,' he stressed. Chong Chieng Jen crime harassment scammer
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