KUALA TERENGGANU: A woman trader in Terengganu lost RM48,300 after falling victim to an e-commerce scam via the WhatsApp application.
Kuala Terengganu OCPD Asst Comm Azli Mohd Noor said that on March 3, the 59-year-old victim received a WhatsApp message from a suspect posing as an officer from the Kuala Terengganu Department of Environment.
He said the suspect had purportedly intended to purchase 50 pieces of unstitched fabric from the victim and also asked her to supply gift baskets and keris souvenirs for a breaking-of-fast event.
"However, the suspect insisted that the victim deal with a supplier designated by him.
"The victim, who was deceived, conducted the transaction with the suspect’s associate via WhatsApp and made three payments totalling RM48,300 to the account provided on March 9,” he said in a statement on Tuesday (March 10).
ACP Azli said the victim lodged a police report at 7.06pm on Monday (March 9) after the ordered items were not delivered and attempts to contact both suspects failed.
The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property. — Bernama
