KOTA KINABALU: Online sales fraud cases are on the rise in Sabah’s Kota Marudu district, with losses exceeding RM35,000 so far this year, according to the police.
Kota Marudu OCPD Supt Simiun Lomudin said that, based on reports received, scammers have been advertising non-existent cars, motorcycles, and investment schemes at below-market prices on online platforms.
“When customers respond to the advertisements, the scammers collect deposits and later ask for additional payments, insurance and processing fees from their victims,” he said in a statement on Thursday (Jan 29).
He said the victims make the payments via online transactions, but when they later try to view or collect the goods they supposedly purchased, the phone numbers can no longer be reached, and the earlier online advertisements have already been removed.
Supt Simiun said the victims included civil servants and members of the public, mainly from the Pitas district.
Urging the public to be cautious of such online sales and scams, he said police were working with other agencies to track down the suspects.
He advised the public against making online payments without first seeing the items they intend to buy, and to be especially wary when goods or services are offered at unusually low prices.
Supt Simiun also called on other victims to come forward and lodge police reports, and urged anyone with information about the suspects or similar activities to assist with the investigation.
