OUR "Abang Bomba", who work tirelessly to keep the nation and its people safe during disasters, are among the servicemen people respect and trust the most.
Unfortunately, it appears that scammers are making use of their good name to trick caterers in Johor into supplying food for non-existent events or programmes at fire stations around the state.
What's worse, scammers also use this fraudulent premise to ask money from the businesses, leaving them out of pocket for both the cost of food supplied and the "borrowed" funds
Is this really happening?
VERDICT:
TRUE
The Johor Fire and Rescue Department has received four reports that caterers are being tricked into supplying food and money for non-existent events held at fire stations in the state.
Johor department director Siti Rohani Nadir said that reports were lodged by victims from Muar, Pasir Gudang, Kota Tinggi and Tangkak.
She said scammers are asking caterers to supply food for events to be held at fire stations.
"The offer is given on short notice and on a one-year contract basis.
"They also ask food suppliers to provide some money to purchase goodie bags for guests to the event," she said in a statement here on Monday (July 15).
Siti Rohani added that funds were to be transferred to a third party, possibly an accomplice.
"However, after the transfer is made, the scammer blocks all calls from the caterers.
"Any company or individual who receives an offer to supply food or any suspicious request involving Bomba is encouraged to contact the fire station directly for confirmation," she said.
She also told those who have fallen victim to the scam to make a police report immediately.
Seri Alam OCPD Supt Mohd Sohaimi Ishak said police have received a report about a government tender involving the Fire and Rescue Department.
He said the case would be investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.
