Latest news with #MCAPublicServicesandComplaintsDepartment
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Straits Times
Retiree in Malaysia loses $49,040 after being scammed to be a sperm donor for a ‘beautiful woman' in HK
The 57-year-old parted with RM161,000 to the scammers before finally deciding to call off the 'deal'. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO Retiree in Malaysia loses $49,040 after being scammed to be a sperm donor for a 'beautiful woman' in HK Having ignored warnings from the bank and police, a retiree lost RM161,000 (S$49,040) after being lured by an online scam to become a sperm donor for a supposedly beautiful woman in Hong Kong. The 57-year-old saw an advertisement on social media stating that the woman wanted to bear a child and that there would be a reward of HK$2mil (S$327,940) for the man chosen. 'I was communicating with a person claiming to be a lawyer for the woman who said he would formalise the agreement. 'I was told to make several payments, including RM10,000 for air tickets and RM30,000 for protection services for her,' the man told a press conference held by MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head Datuk Seri Michael Chong in Ku ala Lumpur on June 5. The retiree, who identified himself as Tan, said he continued to make more payments, including to fly in doctors who would monitor him to ensure that the baby would be born healthy. In total, Tan parted with RM161,000 to the scammers before finally deciding to call off the 'deal', without even meeting the woman or the so-called lawyer in person. Mr Chong said he was disappointed with Tan for being so gullible and falling for what was an outright scam. 'The bank officer called and asked to meet with him on the transactions, as he suspected it was a scam. 'After meeting the bank officer and a policeman who told him the same thing, Tan continued to make payments to the scammer. 'The scammer told Tan not to be scared and that his payment was ready, and even provided a screenshot of a cheque written out to him. 'Tan admits he had been utterly stupid to fall for this. He only hopes that others will not fall victim like him,' Mr Chong said. Mr Chong said he believed that the woman in the photos was also a victim, with her details being used by scammers. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
5 days ago
- The Star
QuickCheck: Did a 'child-bearing' scam cause a retiree to lose over RM160,000?
In the realm of too-good-to-be-true offers, one retiree found himself entangled in a web of deceit when he saw an advertisement on social media. It was claimed that a Malaysian lost a substantial sum of money when he fell prey to scammers who claimed to offer a lucrative reward to impregnate a Taiwanese woman. Is it true that such a 'child-bearing' scam really caused a retiree to lose over RM160,000? VERDICT: TRUE A 57-year-old Malaysian man lost over RM161,000 to scammers who promised him a RM1.08mil reward to impregnate a Taiwanese woman. The man, who identified himself as Tan, said that he saw the "offer" in an advertisement on social media. The post claimed that a Taiwanese woman was seeking a man to have a child with and was offering a reward of HK$2mil (approximately RM1.08mil). "I was communicating with someone claiming to be a lawyer for the woman who would formalise the agreement. I was then directed to make several payments, including RM10,000 for airfare tickets and RM30,000 for her protection services," he said at a press conference organised by MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head Datuk Seri Michael Chong. Chong said bank officers reached out to Tan regarding the transactions and asked to meet with him because they were concerned that Tan was being scammed. "After meeting both the bank officer and a policeman who voiced similar concerns, Tan still proceeded to make payments to the scammers. The scammer assured Tan not to worry and claimed that his money was ready. 'They even provided a screenshot of a cheque made out to him," Chong explained. In total, Tan handed over RM161,000 to the scammers. At the press conference, Tan explained what had happened to Chong, hoping that his story would be shared through the media as a cautionary tale.
New Straits Times
5 days ago
- New Straits Times
Retiree falls for fake sperm donor offer, loses life savings
KUALA LUMPUR: A 57-year-old retiree lost his life savings of RM161,000 after falling victim to an online scam involving a fake offer to become a sperm donor for a woman supposedly from Hong Kong. The victim, identified only as Tan, said he is now penniless and unable even to afford a bus ticket home. Tan recounted that in early February, he came across a Facebook advertisement offering HKD2 million (about RM1 million) in exchange for helping a housewife, who was allegedly desperate to have a child. "Soon after, I was contacted by a man claiming to be her lawyer. He informed me that I had been selected to be with Lee Na to help her conceive. "I was shocked and asked why I was chosen. He said it was because I had a handsome face," Tan said during a press conference at Wisma MCA today. The 'lawyer' then asked him to make several payments including RM10,000, RM30,000 and RM1,000 supposedly for registration fees, travel expenses, and other costs. Tan said he proceeded with the payments in March, lured by the promise of receiving RM390,000 after all formalities were completed. However, following the transactions, he was contacted by his bank and warned that he could be a victim of a scam. Tan said he confronted the 'lawyer', who continued to reassure him of the payout but requested an additional RM120,000, allegedly to cover the fees of two medical specialists from the United States. "I made three more transfers for that. Then I asked to meet the woman, as I had only been dealing with the lawyer. I even requested a video call, but he refused." The lawyer continued to make excuses, giving repeated assurances that the promised RM1 million would be paid. It was only then that Tan realised he had been scammed. He lodged a police report and sought help from the MCA Public Services and Complaints Department. Its head Datuk Seri Michael Chong said the victim admitted that his decision was foolish, but still came forward in hopes of preventing others from falling into similar traps. "This is the second case of its kind we've received in recent times. Last year, we handled a similar complaint. "I urge the authorities to step up monitoring of Facebook advertisements, especially those involving potential scams like this," he said.
The Star
21-05-2025
- The Star
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.
New Straits Times
20-05-2025
- New Straits Times
Beware, accident scam syndicate prowling in Puchong, preying on women drivers
KUALA LUMPUR: A scam syndicate staging accidents to extort money from women drivers has been reportedly on the prowl in Puchong, with over 27 cases reported in just one month. Recently, two victims came forward to share their experience during a press conference organised by the MCA Public Services and Complaints Department today. The first victim, known only as Chong, 47, related her ordeal through her sister in-law named Yim, 59. Yim said Chong, 47, was making a right turn at a junction after checking the road was clear when her car was suddenly struck on the left side by a sports utility vehicle. "She panicked because her child was in the car. The man then grabbed an umbrella from a nearby Japanese restaurant and started hitting her bumper with it," Yim said. Chong, who was shaken by the incident, contacted Yim to assist her. Upon arriving, they attempted to lodge a report, but the sports utility vehicle driver insisted on settling the matter privately. He claimed that he was rushing back to Penang due to his pregnant girlfriend and did not want to be delayed by police procedures. "He initially asked for RM2,000, but after about 20 minutes of back and forth, the amount was reduced to RM500," Yim said. Chong was later shocked to discover on social media that the same sports utility vehicle bearing the number plate VCT 180 was involved in at least two other similar collisions on the same day in April 20. In another case, a woman known only as Chow was reversing her car on April 7 when it accidentally knocked into a white multipurpose vehicle with the number plate NDN 9927. "The driver came out and asked how we could settle it privately. When I said I would lodge a police report, he tried to dissuade me, saying it would result in a RM300 summons," Chow said. After some negotiation, the driver lowered his demand from RM2,000 to RM150. Later, when Chow talked about the incident with a friend, she was shocked to find out that the same car with the same number plate had been involved in a similar case. The MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head Datuk Seri Michael Chong said the syndicate's modus operandi involves targeting women often alone or with children in quiet areas. They deliberately caused minor accidents and immediately pressured the victims to pay compensation. "Victims are urged to avoid police involvement and are emotionally manipulated, often being told the scammer is in a rush due to a pregnant partner or a need to return to Penang." To date, 21 cases had been reported in Kuala Lumpur and five in Johor Baru. The suspected vehicles involved a Proton Saga (WTF 6865), Honda Jazz (NDN 9927) and Honda HR-V (VCT 180). "Many victims expressed frustration not only over the money lost, but also over having to bear the cost of repairing their own vehicles and in some cases, facing traffic fines for failing to report the incident promptly," he added. Chong said the scam amounts ranged between RM150 and RM1,500, and many victims opted to pay simply to avoid further complications. Commenting on the matter, MCA Selangor Public Services and Complaints Bureau head and lawyer Ivan Tan said a similar case occurred last year involving a motorcyclist. "The suspect in that case was charged under Section 384 of the Penal Code for extortion and sentenced to 11 months in prison," he said. Regarding the current spate of cases, Ivan reminded the public that accident reports could be lodged at any police station, regardless of the location of the incident. "It doesn't matter if the accident happened in Selangor, the report can still be lodged in Penang or anywhere else. Police stations remain open and accessible to all," he said. Authorities urge members of the public to remain vigilant and to lodge police reports promptly if they suspect they have fallen victim to similar scams.
