KUALA LUMPUR: What began as a simple Facebook profile photo has led a married couple into an ordeal after their photo was misused by scammers.
Mr Tan, 41, had uploaded a photo of himself and his wife as his Facebook (FB) profile picture last year, only to later discover it had been used to set up a fake food catering business that duped victims.
In the fake Facebook page, the scammers lured customers with photos of appetising dishes and unusually cheap catering packages.
Victims who contacted the listed telephone number were redirected to a WhatsApp account under the name “Jerry”, which used Tan’s photo as its profile image.
They later realised they had been cheated after making payments via different QR codes to various bank accounts, with no food delivered and no further response from the scammer.
Frustrated victims began circulating the photo of Tan and his wife online, accusing him of being behind the scam and hurling abusive messages.
Tan, a private sector sales manager with no links to the food business, said he only became aware of the situation on April 2 after being alerted by a friend.
“I was horrified because my Facebook profile is set to private. This means scammers could only have taken my profile picture, which cannot be hidden.
“It was extremely distressing to see people cursing us and even issuing threats against me and my family.
“I just want the abuse to stop and for people to understand that we are victims too,” he said at a press conference at Wisma MCA on Monday (April 13).
Tan has since lodged a police report and filed a complaint with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). The case is currently under investigation.
The fake Facebook page, which has been active since November last year, had amassed over 1,100 followers as of Monday.
MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head Datuk Seri Michael Chong said Tan’s case was among more than 10 similar incidents reported since last year, involving scammers using stolen profile photos.
“They use the same modus operandi - taking photos of innocent people to set up fake businesses. When the scam is exposed, these individuals end up being blamed without their knowledge.
“If left unchecked, this will not only damage reputations but also hurt legitimate micro, small and medium enterprises,” he said.
Chong warned that members of the public who continue to attack Tan risk facing defamation suits.
He advised consumers to remain vigilant by checking reviews and comments before engaging with online businesses, opting for cash-on-delivery where possible, and ensuring payment details match the business or individual they are dealing with.
“If a deal looks too good to be true, it usually is,” he added.
