THE realisation that one has been scammed hits hard, especially if family funds or life savings are involved.
In a panic, and sometimes out of embarrassment or fear, victims may seek other forms of recourse instead of confiding in loved ones or reporting to the authorities.
Fear not! Here's an advertisement on Facebook by "representatives" from the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) saying it can help scam victims recovery their money.
Ooh, guess it couldn't hurt to click and find out more.
But wait – are such advertisements genuine?
VERDICT:
FALSE
Bukit Aman's Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) says there is an increasingly widespread scam tactic targeting desperate victims of fraud by promising them a chance to get their lost money back.
CCID director Comm Datuk Rusdi Md Isa said they have detected online advertisements offering these bogus services.
"This modus operandi was detected when victims were attracted to advertisements on Facebook (and were then) contacted via WhatsApp by suspects impersonating representatives from the NSRC," he said in a statement on Monday (April 13).
"The suspects then claimed they could help recover money that victims had lost to scams, but required an upfront payment.
"Victims who believed the offer proceeded to make several payments to multiple different bank accounts as instructed.
"However, they were continuously asked to make additional payments without receiving any refund as promised, before eventually realising they had been scammed," he said.
He added that six cases involving this tactic had been recorded from last year to March.
"Total losses have been recorded at RM68,491," he said, adding that cases were reported in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Johor and Terengganu, among others.
"(The victims in these cases) were deceived for a second time.
"The police wish to stress that no party can easily guarantee the recovery of scammed funds, especially by charging upfront fees.
"The public is advised not to be deceived by such offers and to always verify with the authorities before making any financial transactions," he added.
