KUALA LUMPUR: Several cases of fraud using the Kuala Lumpur Department of Environment’s (KL DOE) name have been detected, with eight cases involving fake government procurement orders resulting in losses of more than RM200,000 for two suppliers.
Its director Sharifah Zakiah Syed Sahab said the scam was first detected on Sept 4, when a diving equipment supplier’s representative visited the department to verify the authenticity of procurement documents.
“Prior to that, KL DOE had received several enquiries about fake procurement documents since mid-August, including one on Sept 8 from a supplier over a souvenir order worth more than RM100,000 for an upcoming programme,” she said, Bernama reported yesterday.
Checks found that KL DOE had never placed any souvenir orders or made programme bookings. Instead, the orders were made using forged documents bearing officers’ names, fake letterheads and management signatures.
“Based on the suppliers’ information, they claimed to have transferred more than RM100,000 to certain parties as an advance payment for the souvenirs.”
KL DOE has asked the suppliers to report the scam.
She said that KL DOE lodged a police report last Wednesday denying any involvement by its officers, and informed the DOE Headquarters Finance Division.
However, enquiries about the fake procurement orders continued yesterday and today.
Sharifah Zakiah advised suppliers and contractors to exercise caution and verify the authenticity of all government procurement documents they receive.
