KUALA LUMPUR: Foreign students should exercise caution when dealing with online money changers to avoid falling victim to scams, says Datuk Seri Michael Chong.
The MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head said in a recent case, a Chinese MBA student at a local university lost RM20,580 in a currency-exchange scam.
“The scammer used social media to cheat the victim.
“He even faked his IC number to deceive her. We are concerned that the fraudster may have cheated many others,” Chong told reporters at Wisma MCA yesterday.
The victim, who wished to be known only as Jiang, sought assistance after being scammed by a conman identified as one Hoong Kah Wai.
In sharing the details, Jiang said she attempted to pay her tuition fees via the university portal on March 8 but was not successful despite several tries.
Since she was unable to complete the payment, Jiang searched for an online money changer to assist her in making the transaction. She obtained Hoong’s details through Douyin – the Chinese version of TikTok.
The two later met at Hotel Tenera in Bandar Baru Bangi at about 10.30pm on the same day.
According to Chong, Hoong showed Jiang a photo of his MyKad and allowed her to photograph it as proof of his identity in order to convince her.
Jiang then transferred money to Hoong’s Alipay account at 11.17pm.
Moments later, he attempted to walk away, claiming that he was going to the toilet.
“Jiang only realised she had been cheated after she could no longer contact him,” Chong said, adding that the scammer was believed to have fled with an accomplice, who was waiting outside the premises.
A report was lodged at the Bandar Baru Bangi police station on March 9.
Chong said CCTV footage from the hotel had captured the entire incident.
However, he said police later informed the victim that the MyKad number was incorrect and possibly altered using artificial intelligence.
Chong also said Jiang later discovered she was not the only victim who had been scammed.
“The scammer had cheated several others, including at least two other Chinese students with RM5,000 and RM1,000 in losses, respectively.
“We urge foreign students and members of the public to use only licensed money changers and avoid unofficial channels promoted on social media,” he said.
Chong also highlighted a growing trend of foreign students, especially from China, falling victim to scams.
Since 2024, the department has received 16 cases involving citizens from China with total losses amounting to RM580,000.
