Identity theft victim issues statement denying his involvement with online loan scam

MCA public services and complaints department head Datuk Seri Michael Chong showing a screen capture from twitter during a press conference, October 8, 2021. - GLENN GUAN/The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: A man whose identity had been stolen and used to trick money loan scam victims has lodged a police report to clear his name.

According to a statement on Saturday (Oct 23) by MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head Datuk Seri Michael Chong (pic), 24 year old Lee Shong Xian had clarified matters after his photo was highlighted during a prior press conference by Chong.

"His identity card and photo were misused by the moneylenders. He said that he had applied for a loan online once but cancelled his application as he was worried that it was a scam.

"Lee has been working in Singapore since April 2021 and he had been informed that his photo was highlighted during a previous press conference regarding scammers.

"He lodged a report with Singaporean police on Oct 8 and his family here have notified local police regarding the report," he said.

Chong added that a prior police report was also lodged by Lee in June 2020 after he was worried his identification documents that he had passed for the supposed loan would be misused.

On Oct 7, Chong highlighted a loan scam that used the Wisma MCA address to convince victims of its "legitimacy".

Wisma MCA management clarified that no such operation existed within Wisma MCA.