KUALA LUMPUR: The public should be wary of advertisements on rental properties from unverified sources to avoid being victims of rental scams, says Comm Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf (pic).
The Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) director said such scams could occur virtually or physically.
“Such cheating methods are not new but lately numerous cases have cropped up.
“It ranges from face-to-face to cyber-enabled fraud,” he said yesterday.
Comm Ramli advised the public to never trust any rental offer online, especially on social media.
“They must verify the legitimacy of a classified or ads (on rental properties) with the relevant parties such as a real estate company or a joint management body of a high rise.
“When making any payments regarding rental matters to an individual account, check with our SemakMule portal to ensure it is not a mule account,” he said.
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While some ads on rental properties could be genuine, Comm Ramli said such online ads should not be accepted superficially.
“If you have doubts, check and verify via the proper channels before making any payment.
“Checking might take time but you will not regret it in the long term,” he said.
As of Oct 13, Comm Ramli said a total of 23,447 commercial crime cases, including scams have been recorded this year.
“It involved losses of RM1.97bil.
“We really hope the public will heed our advice and stay vigilant to avoid becoming scam victims,” he said.
So far, the SemakMule portal has listed 193,000 mule accounts and 164,000 phone numbers used by scammers since the portal’s inception in 2020.
“The site also lists the name of shell companies that had been used by scammers.
“The portal has listed 107 companies so far,” he said.
He reminded the public to make use of the SemakMule portal as well as contact the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) 997 hotline for any inquiries or to report on scams.
Meanwhile, the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) said that failure to supply the rental property when deposit or collateral payments were made is an offence according to Section 16 of the Consumer Protection Act 1999 (Act 599).
In a statement to The Star, the ministry said this amounted to agreeing to receive payment without a reasonable basis to believe that the property can be supplied, which is an offence under Section 25(1)(b) of the same Act.
According to the KPDN’s enforcement division, there have been at least 21 rental scam complaints reported this year.
“If convicted of the offence, a corporation may be fined up to RM250,000 for the first offence and up to RM500,000 for the second and subsequent offences.
“For individuals, a fine not exceeding RM100,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or both may be imposed for the first offence.
“For the second and subsequent offences, a fine not exceeding RM250,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding six years or both may be imposed,” according to the statement.
The ministry also advised the public to make sure that they visit the property they intend to rent before making any deposit or collateral payment and only deal with trusted real estate agents.
KPDN said that consumers could file any complaints to the ministry through WhatsApp at 019-8488000, or its e-Aduan KPDN portal, mobile app or call at 1-800-886-800.
