Couple on a hit-and-scam spree
KUALA LUMPUR: Conmen are staging car crashes and demanding compensation from victims in a new scam.
MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head Datuk Seri Michael Chong said he had received complaints from at least 12 individuals, claiming that they became victims of extortion after getting involved in road mishaps.
At the centre of the scam, he said, was a couple in their late 20s who would stage a car crash with the victims.
To resolve the matter, the couple would intimidate and threaten the victims for as much as RM2,000, resulting in some of them agreeing to pay.
One victim, who was present at a press conference at Chong's office, said she agreed to pay RM500 after negotiating with the conmen.
The 59-year-old woman, known only as Yim, said her sister-in-law was driving her car during the incident in April.
As the sister-in-law was trying to make a turn at a T-junction, a sports utility vehicle (SUV) hit their car.
'Initially, the SUV driver demanded RM2,000 but after negotiating, we agreed to pay RM500 instead.
Be aware, drivers: Chong with some of the complainants who fell victim to the couple, during a press conference in Kuala Lumpur. — Low Lay Phon/The Star
'I wanted to file a police report but the couple persuaded me not to do so, saying that they were rushing to Penang,' said Yim.
To ensure the matter could be settled without having to go to the police, Yim struck a deal and asked one of the couple to sign an 'agreement' between them with their details.
However, after checking social media, she found that the details provided were fake.
Another victim, Chow, 46, experienced a similar incident while trying to reverse her car in Bandar Bukit Puteri, Puchong.
She said the couple involved in the incident demanded RM2,000 from her.
However, Chow only paid RM150 after negotiating with the other party.
'But as I was chatting with a friend about the incident, I learned that my friend was also involved in a similar case involving the same car and plate number,' she said.
Chow then lodged a police report as she suspected that the whole incident had been staged.
Meanwhile, Chong urged the police to investigate the matter under Section 384 of the Penal Code for extortion.
He said that based on the total complaints received, it was estimated that the total money paid to the conmen to 'settle' amounted to RM10,000.
'The victims had to suffer even greater losses as they needed to pay to repair their cars and also lost their No Claim Discount in their vehicle insurance,' he added.
Chong warned motorists, especially women, to be careful of such incidents.
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