IPOH: A civil servant is being prosecuted over an alleged wedding planning scam that resulted in 73 police reports and nearly RM1mil in losses last year.
Perak police chief Comm Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin said the 31-year-old man was charged in court on Sept 8.
He said although police received 73 reports related to the matter, the prosecution decided to proceed with one charge against the accused.
"After consulting with the prosecution, it was decided that the man face one charge," he told a press conference at state police headquarters here on Friday (Oct 23).
Comm Alwi said the other reports were referred to the Consumer Tribunal for further action, as the ceremonies had yet to take place.
He said the total losses reported amounted to almost RM1mil.
Comm Alwi said the man is still a civil servant but faces departmental disciplinary action, which could include suspension.
He clarified that the man was employed by the Public Service Department and was not a policeman, contrary to speculation.
The case gained traction on Threads after a post alleged that several couples had been duped of money meant for their wedding arrangements.
The post’s author said they were trying to locate the man and find out whether he was still alive.
The post drew responses from several people claiming to be victims, who shared their experiences and the financial and emotional strain they had endured.
One commenter said they lost RM23,000 and received only RM50 in repayment, while another claimed to have lost RM12,000 in savings painstakingly accumulated for their wedding.
Another commenter claimed to have lost RM20,000, saying the financial impact remained painful as their first wedding anniversary approached.
