KUALA LUMPUR: The public has been urged to watch out for scammers who prey on housewives and pensioners by acting as home cooked food caterers.
MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head Datuk Seri Michael Chong said these con men used social media platforms to scam innocent victims.
"It is a common practice for senior citizens and working couples to use these deliverers for daily home cooked food.
"Many couples find it more economical to use these food caterers than to cook for themselves," he said.
Chong cited a case where a housewife was scammed.
"She was asked to pay RM395 for 40 single-meal of three dishes with no rice.
"He asked her to pay RM195 on Oct 7 with the balance on Oct 30."
The scammer then said he would collect the tiffin carrier from her house on Oct 9 with food delivery supposed to begin Oct 11.
"But communications ended after the initial payment was made.
"Luckily, the housewife felt something was amiss when he asked her to download a few apps for payment.
"He gave the housewife a step-by-step instruction to do the transaction."
She then sensed a red flag due to the unusual method of payment and demanded that the order be cancelled.
"When that happened, the con man said no refund would be entertained and ended the communications.
"She then realised she had been scammed."
Chong said it may seem like a small sum but when accumulated, the amount would be a lot.
He said many victims were reluctant to make official reports because of the small amount involved.
"But a scam is a scam and that is perhaps the modus operandi of the culprit.
"By going for a few hundred ringgit, they hope to cast a wider net.
"If there are those who download the apps, the amount would also be bigger."
Chong urged the public to be wary of home cooked food deliverers with unusual cheap prices.
"If it's too good to be true, then one should already be cautious. "
He urged those who have been scammed to contact him.
"These scammers are giving the real deliveries and caterers a bad name."
