KOTA KINABALU: Fear and shame are keeping victims of an alleged multi-million-ringgit land sales and purchase scam in Keningau district from coming forward and lodging police reports, according to their representative.
Shahrizal Mohd Shom, who spoke on behalf of dozens of these alleged victims, highlighted their plight and said he had helped them seek help and lodge police reports after hearing about their troubles.
The chairman of local NGO Pertubuhan Utusan Marhaen Keningau said it is believed that the cases date back to 2020, when land sale was an active business involving attractive prices.
"Many of these said victims were attracted by the affordable prices of these land plots, with sizes ranging from one to 10 acres (0.4ha to 4.04ha) on average, and it was on a first come, first served basis," he said when met on Monday (July 27).
He added that there were also smaller lots offered for sale.
ALSO READ: Cops probing alleged land scam in Keningau
Shahrizal said that when he set up an online complaints site for those who felt they had been cheated, over 100 people signed up, mainly from Keningau and some from Tambunan, Sook, Nabawan and Kunak.
He said the alleged losses came to around RM4mil so far.
"We think there are more. But we need to wait and see how many are willing to come forward," he said.
According to Shahrizal, fewer than 30 reports had been lodged over the past six years, the majority of them this month after he stepped in to help.
"Many (victims) are hesitant to lodge police reports because they are afraid, some claim they have been threatened to keep quiet in some way, while others think they are alone, and feel ashamed," he said.
Shahrizal advised victims to come forward so that they could have a fighting chance to get justice.
He explained that from what these victims told him, their names were never included in the land titles or deeds as promised, even after they paid booking fees, legal fees and other purported administrative costs.
When they sought updates, the brokers or agents allegedly told them to wait, or harshly said to back off, or even blocked their numbers, he claimed.
"For now, we need all those who feel that they have been scammed to come forward to facilitate and strengthen our cases," he said.
He also did not discount the fact that there are cases where the victims did not read the clauses, terms and conditions thoroughly before signing and paying.
A meeting with the Keningau OCPD is scheduled for this Thursday (July 30) to discuss these cases further, he said.
In a statement on Sunday (July 26), deputy Keningau OCPD Deputy Supt Alizam Dalaman confirmed receiving reports on the alleged land scam and urged calm while police investigated.
