NILAI: The public should be wary of anyone offering house renovation and air-condition installation services on social media after police received reports from five individuals here who say they have been cheated.
Nilai district police chief Supt Abdul Malik Hasim said the victims lodged separate reports from Jan 26 to 29, claiming they had lost almost RM40,000 in total after they hired the services of a man they got to know via Facebook.
"We found that a man had offered the services but failed to complete the renovation works or install the air-conditioners.
"The suspect was subsequently arrested in Labu and was slapped with three charges at the Magistrate's Court today (Jan 31)," he said in a statement on Tuesday (Jan 31).
The suspect was charged under Section 417 of the Penal Code and claimed trial.
Offenders can be jailed up to five years, or fined, or both, upon conviction.
Supt Abdul Malik advised the people to always exercise caution when seeking services or buying items via Facebook to ensure they do not end up getting scammed.
