Single mum cheated of RM22,000 in online love scam

KUALA LUMPUR: A single mother ended up with a broken heart and poorer by more than RM22,000 after she was scammed by a man she met on an online dating application.

The 40-year-old victim, who only wanted to be known as Wong, said that she first met the man, known as David Welsh, on the online dating application “Mingle2” on Oct 18.

Welsh has apparently told her that he was a real estate agent from Manchester, England.

Through time, the two got closer and conversations became intimate and Welsh even promised to marry her next year.

Wong said that about a month later, Welsh said that he had a project in Thailand and claimed he would be in Phuket for three weeks.

She said that Welsh then claimed that he was robbed at his apartment in Phuket and was hospitalised.

“He even sent me a picture of him being injured and on the hospital bed. He asked for a loan of US$2,500 (RM11,096) to settle his hospital bill but a friend convinced me not to give the money,” Wong said during a press confe­rence yesterday accompanied by MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head Datuk Seri Michael Chong.

Wong said that she was then contacted by another man called Kim Chonlada who claimed to have settled Welsh’s hospital bill and demanded for US$5,100 (RM22,636) or he would expose her nude photos on social media.

Out of fear, Wong transferred the money to an account in Thailand.

About a week later, Chonlada contacted Wong again claiming that his daughter was diagnosed with cancer and he needed US$120,000 (RM532,000) for her medical fees.

Chonlada also said he would expose her nude photos and spread rumours that she had cheated him of US$5mil in an investment if she did not give him the money.

The scammers did not stop there as Wong then received an email from a man who introduced himself as David Kurtis who claimed to be a special agent from the FBI and Interpol South-East Asia.

Kurtis claimed that he would detain Welsh and Chonlada if Wong would pay RM10,000 for his flight and expenses.

Chong said there were still many gullible people who fell prey to these scammers despite warnings from authorities.

He said that despite holding several press conferences this year, he still received 25 cases involving online love scams.

He said the 25 cases involved more than RM9.8mil that were cheated from victims.