
Scratch and lose: Mukah man poorer by over RM20,000 in bid to claim ‘prize' worth nearly RM1 mln
MUKAH (July 15): A 43-year-old man here lost RM22,856 after falling victim to a 'scratch and win' scam conducted during a Facebook livestream believed to have been conducted from abroad.
Mukah police chief DSP Muhamad Rizal Alias said the victim had initially purchased two 'scratch and win' cards from a website promoted during the livestream.
'After scratching the cards, the man was told he had won a prize worth RM956,520. However, he was instructed to pay a 20 per cent tax in order to claim the prize,' he said in a statement today.
The victim went on to make four transfers totalling RM22,856 to three different bank accounts, purportedly for the tax and further card purchases.
However, he became suspicious when more questionable payment requests were made, and eventually realised he had been scammed after he was no longer able to access the Facebook page.
Muhammad Rizal said the case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating, and urged the public to remain vigilant when engaging in financial transactions online, especially with unfamiliar parties.
'We advise the public not to be easily swayed by lucrative offers, particularly those that require upfront payments to claim rewards. If in doubt, seek advice or lodge a report immediately,' he added. Mukah scam scratch and win

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