KUALA LUMPUR: Thirty people claimed they were duped into buying synthetic precious stones instead of genuine diamonds by an influencer, resulting in a loss of approximately RM1mil.
All the victims have lodged complaints with the MCA Public Services and Complaints Department, hoping to recoup their losses.
The department’s head, Datuk Seri Michael Chong, said the victims had bought jewellery from the influencer over the past two years.
He said the influencer had offered jewellery, make-up and good fortune trinkets to her customers but had misled them when selling synthetic stones as genuine diamonds.
“After sending the jewellery for a lab test, the victims found the stones were lab-grown,” he said.
One of the victims, who only wanted to be identified as Koh, 33, said she was drawn to the influencer’s products after following her since 2023.
Koh said she paid a deposit before being allowed to discuss the design and colour of her pendant with the influencer.
She paid about RM3,000 to get the diamond-based jewellery made.
Koh claimed she was also pressured to buy other items, such as a bottle of essential oil that the influencer claimed would bring her good luck. She paid an additional RM1,388 for this.
However, Koh realised she had been tricked into buying the synthetic diamonds after she came across reports that others had also been duped by the influencer.
She connected with others in the group and subsequently lodged a police report.
Lawyer Esther Hor, who represented the group, said the make-up offered by the influencer, who claimed it was chemical-free, was also found to contain mercury.
She said the influencer was not honest with them.
The victims, including four Singaporeans, had lodged police reports in connection with the case.
Hor added that attempts to privately settle the matter failed, as the influencer became unreachable after they demanded refunds.
Chong added that he and his legal team would compile the police reports and study the matter to determine the type of assistance they can provide to the victims.
“We believe this is not the end of the case. There are more people who have been duped by the influencer,” he said.
