Three nabbed over Facebook donation scam

GEORGE TOWN: Three people have been arrested over a donation scam on social media.

The main suspect was a 22-year-old postman who fabricated a story and asked the admin of the Facebook page "Masakan Utara Barat" to upload it on the page.

According to a police source, the Pos Malaysia Bhd employee asked the admin of the Facebook page to upload his picture on the page and uploaded a caption, saying that he is not getting any bonus from his employer.

"At the same time, the admin of the Facebook page would give the suspect the account numbers of readers who sympathised with the postman's situation," the source said.

The source said when the human resources department of Pos Malaysia asked the suspect about the viral post, he denied it.

The suspect then lodged a police report on the pretext of defending himself and to avoid being punished by his employer.

The suspect was detained by police at Central Seberang Prai police headquarters in Bandar Perda after he made conflicting statements about the viral post.

Also arrested were siblings, a 23-year-old man and a 35-year-old woman, who were the admin of the Facebook page.

When contacted Penang Commercial Crime Investigations Department (CCID) chief ACP Mohd Rosni Mohd Lazim confirmed the arrest.

"The suspect has been arrested and the case is being investigated," he said.

The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.