Latest news with #Liau
The Star
5 hours ago
- The Star
Double whammy: Man loses over RM450,000 after falling victim to consecutive scams
KUALA LUMPUR: A man fell for a case of "double jeopardy" after being scammed twice in a row. At a press conference on Tuesday (April 19), MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head Datuk Seri Michael Chong said the victim, known as Liau, 55, was originally scammed of his savings after joining a so-called investment scam on April 10. Liau said that he found the group on social media and was offered investments in initial public offerings (IPO) based in Hong Kong. He invested a total of RM390,000 into the supposed investment but realised he had been duped after the scammers forced him to purchase more IPO shares. Desperate to recoup his money, Liau then searched social media again and stumbled upon an advertisement touting legal services and contacted the so-called lawyer on July 8. "The lawyer told me that my case was forwarded to the Hong Kong Anti Deception Coordination Centre (ADCC) and said a result will be given in four hours. "I was then told that my money had been transferred into an online casino website," he said. Liau was then contacted by another scammer claiming to be from the ADCC and was told that he could "win" his money back if he used the online gambling website. He was also instructed to send money to the scammer to start the process. "I was then told that I had abused the system and I needed an additional RM28,000 to continue the process," he said. In total, he lost an additional RM61,500 to the second scammer. Chong said that this was not the first time scammers had impersonated lawyers to dupe victims, with a previous press conference having been held on a similar matter.
New Straits Times
5 hours ago
- New Straits Times
From one scam to another: Victims fall into endless cycle of cons
KUALA LUMPUR: Scam victims are at risk of receiving a double or even a triple blow as more scammers are relentlessly trying to defraud them further in moments of weakness and anxiety. In a recent incident, a man claimed that he was cheated in an overseas investment scam and later taken for a ride by other scammers posing as a lawyer and foreign law enforcement personnel, who said they could help him get his money back. The victim, who wished to be identified only as Liau, said he was first caught in the alleged investment scam on a social media platform while seeking to acquire funds to open a small business after retirement. He lost about RM390,000 after making seven transactions on the platform. In a desperate attempt to get his money back, he came across a social media advertisement for a law firm that claimed to be "experts in retrieving money from investment scams". That was when he fell deeper into the spiral of deception. "As I have lost my money in what was supposed to be an initial public offering investment in Hong Kong, I approached the law firm to try to get my funds back. "The lawyer claimed to be a Chinese national, but is currently based in Hong Kong," Liau said during a press conference today at Wisma MCA. After he informed the lawyer about his case and provided his information and documents, the lawyer said he would forward the case to the Hong Kong police's Anti-Deception Coordination Centre (ADCC).. "After around three hours, the lawyer told me that my money had been transferred into an online casino in Macau," he said. Liau said the lawyer then introduced him to a man named Allen, who claimed to be from the ADCC. Allen told Liau that the only way to get his money back was to gamble in the online casino and win it back through a "bug in the system". Believing in Allen's advice, Liau then transferred RM500 onto the platform and started gambling. He was subsequently told that he had only five days to recover his money, which prompted him to up his ante and make more than seven transactions into Malaysian bank accounts. Liau claimed that he lost a further RM61,500 in the casino scam, bringing his total losses from both scams to more than RM451,500. He lodged two reports in Wangsa Maju after losing all his retirement funds and money borrowed from his family. MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head Datuk Seri Michael Chong warned that this was not the first time scammers had impersonated lawyers or law enforcement personnel. "We received another similar case earlier this year. A 60-year-old woman lost around RM1 million from a similar incident." The lawyer who was impersonated had filed a report after finding out that his identity was used to commit scams, he said. Chong advised the public to be vigilant when looking to make foreign investments, as they were now a "hunting ground" for scammers. MCA Publicity Bureau chairman and lawyer Chan Quin Er said the public needed to be careful when dealing with anyone who claimed to be from a law firm. "The public should verify the identities of individuals from official sources, such as the Malaysian Bar instead of blindly trusting the scammers.
New Straits Times
5 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Once stung, twice shy, thrice stung what a shame!
KUALA LUMPUR: Scam victims are at risk of receiving a double or even a triple blow as more scammers are relentlessly trying to defraud them further in moments of weakness and anxiety. In a recent incident, a man claimed that he was cheated in an overseas investment scam and later taken for a ride by other scammers posing as a lawyer and foreign law enforcement personnel, who said they could help him get his money back. The victim, who wished to be identified only as Liau, said he was first caught in the alleged investment scam on a social media platform while seeking to acquire funds to open a small business after retirement. He lost about RM390,000 after making seven transactions on the platform. In a desperate attempt to get his money back, he came across a social media advertisement for a law firm that claimed to be "experts in retrieving money from investment scams". That was when he fell deeper into the spiral of deception. "As I have lost my money in what was supposed to be an initial public offering investment in Hong Kong, I approached the law firm to try to get my funds back. "The lawyer claimed to be a Chinese national, but is currently based in Hong Kong," Liau said during a press conference today at Wisma MCA. After he informed the lawyer about his case and provided his information and documents, the lawyer said he would forward the case to the Hong Kong police's Anti-Deception Coordination Centre (ADCC).. "After around three hours, the lawyer told me that my money had been transferred into an online casino in Macau," he said. Liau said the lawyer then introduced him to a man named Allen, who claimed to be from the ADCC. Allen told Liau that the only way to get his money back was to gamble in the online casino and win it back through a "bug in the system". Believing in Allen's advice, Liau then transferred RM500 onto the platform and started gambling. He was subsequently told that he had only five days to recover his money, which prompted him to up his ante and make more than seven transactions into Malaysian bank accounts. Liau claimed that he lost a further RM61,500 in the casino scam, bringing his total losses from both scams to more than RM451,500. He lodged two reports in Wangsa Maju after losing all his retirement funds and money borrowed from his family. MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head Datuk Seri Michael Chong warned that this was not the first time scammers had impersonated lawyers or law enforcement personnel. "We received another similar case earlier this year. A 60-year-old woman lost around RM1 million from a similar incident." The lawyer who was impersonated had filed a report after finding out that his identity was used to commit scams, he said. Chong advised the public to be vigilant when looking to make foreign investments, as they were now a "hunting ground" for scammers. MCA Publicity Bureau chairman and lawyer Chan Quin Er said the public needed to be careful when dealing with anyone who claimed to be from a law firm. "The public should verify the identities of individuals from official sources, such as the Malaysian Bar instead of blindly trusting the scammers. "Lodging a police report is also vital as it will make regulators aware of such cases, which can prompt the authorities to take action against these scammers," Chan said.
Borneo Post
06-08-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
New water technologies offer hope for Sabah's supply woes
Liau and Abidin (second from right) being briefed by an exhibitor. KOTA KINABALU (Aug 6): New water technologies showcased at the Asiawater Versi Sabah Conference and Expo could play a key role in addressing Sabah's long-standing water supply issues, said Jetama Water Sdn Bhd chairman Liau Fui Fui. Liau, whose company is a strategic partner and main sponsor of the two-day event, said the expo highlights promising innovations to enhance water management systems in the state. 'One of the technologies I saw is designed to reduce air locks in pipes and improve water pressure build-up. This can significantly shorten the time needed to restore water supply after interruptions,' she said. 'This is exactly the kind of solution we need in Sabah, where water disruptions are far too common,' she added, noting that she intends to consult Jetama's technical team on the feasibility of adopting the system. Jetama, the concessionaire for treated water production and distribution in parts of Sabah, is participating in Asiawater Sabah for the first time — marking both its debut and the state's hosting of the international event. According to Liau, the Asiawater expo typically rotates among major Southeast Asian cities such as Manila, Jakarta and Ho Chi Minh City. 'We're proud to be part of this milestone for Sabah. This event isn't just about water — it also fosters knowledge sharing, sparks industrial interest, and even supports tourism,' she said. More than 2,000 participants from across Southeast Asia attended the conference, which featured over 40 exhibition booths. Most delegates were water industry professionals, including international experts introducing cutting-edge systems and infrastructure solutions. Liau emphasised that embracing technological innovation is critical for Sabah to overcome its persistent water woes. 'Bringing in new knowledge and solutions is one of our key goals. We hope these technologies will improve the water supply situation and eventually resolve it entirely,' she said. When asked about organising similar events in the future, Liau was optimistic. 'Yes, definitely. If we keep this momentum going, we could expand beyond water technologies into areas like green energy under Jetama,' she said. The Asiawater Sabah Conference and Expo, held in Kota Kinabalu, is expected to pave the way for greater collaboration between local authorities and international water technology experts. The event was officiated by Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Abidin Madingkir, who represented Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor. In his speech delivered by Abidin, the Chief Minister said the State Government is committed to enhancing the capabilities of the state's local workforce, including in the water sector that aligns with its vision for a prosperous Sabah. 'By equipping our professionals with the latest knowledge and skills, we empower them to lead in the adoption of new technologies and practices. 'This investment in human capital is crucial for the sustainable development of all sectors of development,' he said. He said undoubtedly the economic benefits of a robust water and wastewater industry are profound as improved water services lead to better public health outcomes and increased productivity. 'As we invest in our water infrastructure, we also stimulate job creations and economic growth, ensuring that all Sabahans benefit from these advancements,' he said. The Chief Minister said the conference and expo is another significant moment in the journey to address the pertinent issue affecting Sabah. 'Over the next couple of days, I trust you will engage in meaningful discussions and explore innovative solutions to address the pressing challenges we face in Sabah,' he said. Hajiji hoped the discourse will help to open new avenues for collaboration and knowledge sharing. 'What is more important is to enhance capabilities and develop effective strategies to improve water services for our communities,' he said.
Daily Express
06-08-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Asiawater Sabah aims to introduce new technology, knowledge to the state
Published on: Wednesday, August 06, 2025 Published on: Wed, Aug 06, 2025 By: Sisca Humphrey Text Size: Liau being interviewed at the event. KOTA KINABALU: The Asiawater Versi Sabah 2025 Conference and Expo officially opened at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) on Wednesday, intending to introduce new technology and knowledge to the State. Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Abidin Madingkir, who represented Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, officiated the event – the first Asiawater edition held in Sabah and Borneo. Advertisement Organised by Informa Markets and supported by Jetama Sdn Bhd as strategic partner, the two-day event attracted over 2,000 participants and featured more than 40 booths showcasing water supply and treatment technologies. Jetama Water Chairman Liau Fui Fui said the event allows Sabah to learn from regional players and explore solutions to local supply issues, such as pipe airlocks and pressure loss. She said Jetama's technical team would assess if certain innovations, such as pressure recovery systems, are suitable for Sabah's infrastructure. Liau added that Asiawater also helps raise Sabah's profile across sectors and supports knowledge sharing between government and industry players. Advertisement The conference, themed 'Transformative Water Ecosystem for Sustainability', continues until August 8 and includes more than 30 sessions on infrastructure planning, regulation, and water management. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
