Latest news with #JohorMCAYouth
The Star
5 hours ago
- The Star
‘Datuk Seri' takes Thor for a ride in land deal
JOHOR BARU: A businessman lost RM438,000 after he was duped by a 'Datuk Seri' who claimed to have ties with a royal family and could help acquire a plot of land below market price. The 64-year-old victim, known only as Thor, met the suspect in April last year when the latter wanted to purchase his second-hand car that was advertised on an online selling platform. Johor MCA Youth public services and complaints bureau chief Henry Mok, who highlighted the case, said the businessman and suspect met up at a restaurant to go over the details of the vehicle purchase. 'The suspect ended up driving off with the victim's car without making a payment. The Datuk Seri kept delaying the payment, citing that the car needed repairs. 'Later, the suspect apparently sent a runner to complete the vehicle ownership transfer at Thor's shop and still, no payment was made,' he said in an interview. 'The businessman was convinced that the payment would be made because the Datuk Seri claimed that he was well connected and knew members of the royal family as well as top politicians and government officials in the country,' he added. Mok said the suspect also showed photographs of himself with various VIPs to gain the victim's trust. 'In April last year, the suspect apparently offered to help the victim acquire a plot of land for RM30,000 instead of the market value of RM100,000. 'The suspect claimed that he could use his connections to obtain the necessary approvals for the land, which would be used for a special project, and the victim believed him,' he said. Mok said Thor handed RM26,000 in cash to the suspect on April 20 last year. In four months, he said the businessman made more than 20 bank deposits, with the amount ranging from several thousand to tens of thousands of ringgit, into the suspect's personal and company accounts. 'The suspect claimed that the payments were for various reasons such as land application fees, tax processing fees and charges to clean up and level the plot of land allegedly purchased by the victim,' Mok said, adding that the total amount exceeded RM438,000. 'Along the way, the suspect purportedly impersonated a police officer to intimidate and force Thor to hand over his luxury multi-purpose vehicle. 'Thor only realised he had been cheated when there was no progress on the supposed land purchase and no official documents were provided,' Mok said. He added that the last time Thor was in contact with the Datuk Seri was on May 5 this year. Realising that he had been duped, the victim sought help from Mok and lodged a police report on Aug 8. Mok reminded the public against trusting claims and promises made by individuals before committing to an agreement or investment. When contacted, Johor Baru South OCPD Asst Comm Raub Selamat said the investigation is ongoing, but no arrests have been made so far.
The Star
19-05-2025
- The Star
Credit card application turns into a nightmare
Mysterious threats: Phoon (left) and Mok showing the police report lodged and a printout of messages from the scammer. JOHOR BARU: A simple credit card application turned Phoon Kin Fai's life upside down after his personal details fell into the wrong hands. The 41-year-old cook said he submitted his credit card application through a mobile app on May 8 and was later contacted by someone claiming to be a representative from the company. 'A person who claimed to be from the company sent me a message the next day, asking for my personal details, including my bank account number. 'Convinced that he was legitimately from the company, I provided the details thinking it was part of the process. 'It did not cross my mind that it could be a scam as it seemed too much of a coincidence for someone to know I was applying for a credit card from that particular company just a day later,' he said, adding that the person also used the company's logo as his profile photo. Phoon said this at a press conference arranged by Johor MCA Youth public services and complaints bureau chief Henry Mok at the Southern Johor Chinese Media Clubhouse here yesterday. He added that a few hours after the first exchange, the scammer deposited RM600 into his bank account. 'He claimed the money was a loan I had requested. I was shocked as I had never asked for such a loan. 'He then demanded that I pay back RM1,200, including interest and service charges, by May 12, which was just five days later. 'I paid him RM600 the next day but refused to give any more,' he said, adding that he lodged a police report at the Nusa Bestari police station on the same day. Phoon said he later blocked the scammer's number and several others linked to the individual, following police advice. 'They threatened to burn my house down and go after my family, including my elderly parents. 'They even sent videos of other houses they claimed to have been attacked, saying that the same would happen to me if I were to refuse to pay. After failing to reach me, they contacted my wife and continued the harassment. 'They accurately described my house and the car parked outside. It is terrifying, especially since my wife and our young children are at home,' he said. Meanwhile, Mok said he would be sending a letter to the company Phoon had first applied for the credit card to find out more. 'I will also engage with the police as I have been seeing a rise in scam cases, including those involving loan sharks, in the last few months. 'I receive no fewer than 10 such cases each month, and sometimes two to three cases in a single day,' he said, urging the government to impose heavier penalties for such crimes. When contacted, Iskandar Puteri OCPD Asst Comm M. Kumarasan confirmed that they received a report and the case was being investigated.
The Star
18-05-2025
- The Star
Credit card scam turns JB man's life upside down
JOHOR BARU: A simple credit card application has turned Phoon Kin Fai's life upside down after his personal details fell into the wrong hands. The 41-year-old cook said he submitted his credit card application through a mobile app on May 8 and was later contacted by someone claiming to be a representative from the company. "A person who claimed to be from the company sent me a message the next day, asking for my personal details, including my bank account number. "Convinced that he was legitimately from the company, I provided the details, thinking it was part of the process. "It did not cross my mind that it could be a scam as it seemed too much of a coincidence for someone to know I was applying for a credit card from that particular company just a day later," he said, adding that the person also used the company's logo as his profile photo. Phoon said this at a press conference arranged by Johor MCA Youth public services and complaints bureau chief Henry Mok at the Southern Johor Chinese Media Clubhouse here on Sunday (May 18). He added that a few hours after the first exchange, the scammer deposited RM600 into his bank account. "He claimed the money was a loan I had requested. I was shocked as I had never asked for such a loan. "He then demanded that I pay back RM1,200, including interest and service charges, by May 12, which was just five days later. "I paid him RM600 the next day but refused to give any more," he said, adding that he lodged a police report at the Nusa Bestari police station the same day. Phoon said he later blocked the scammer's number and several others linked to the individual, following police advice. "They threatened to burn my house down and go after my family, including my elderly parents. "They even sent videos of other houses they claimed to have attacked, saying that would happen to me if I refused to pay. After failing to reach me, they contacted my wife and continued the harassment. "They accurately described my house and the car parked outside. It is terrifying, especially since my wife and our one and seven-year-old children are at home," he said. Meanwhile, Mok said he would be sending a letter to the company Phoon had applied to for a credit card to find out more about the matter. "I will also engage with the police as I have been seeing a rise in scam cases, including those involving loan sharks, in the last few months. "I receive no fewer than 10 such cases each month, and sometimes two to three cases in a single day," he said, urging the government to impose heavier penalties for such crimes. When contacted, Iskandar Puteri OCPD Asst Comm M. Kumarasan confirmed that they have received a report and the case is under investigation.
