Jempol, Malaysia: A 33-year-old housewife from Jempol became a victim of online fraud as she lost RM15,850 after responding to a hotel reviewer job advertisement that guaranteed high commissions. The scam initially looked legitimate, but later left the victim devastated as she lost her money.
Giving details of the case, Jempol district police chief Hoo Chang Hook said the victim first learned about the advertisement from her aunt. The ad promised lucrative commissions for hotel reviews and asked her to contact a representative via WhatsApp. On May 14, the victim began negotiations with the alleged representative of the company.
Superintendent Hoo said that the scam was cleverly planned. “The victim was informed about the hotel review assignment and was assured that payments, including a commission ranging from six to ten percent, would be transferred to her account via the application,” he said in a statement.
At first, the process seemed genuine as the woman made 14 transactions and received the promised commissions in her bank account, which boosted her confidence in the system. However, the 15th transaction caused issues. The app encountered an issue and the victim was asked to make an additional payment to resolve it and receive the commission from them.
The housewife agreed and made four more transactions. Unfortunately, these payments did not result in the promised commissions and she was asked to make further payments. When the victim realized that something was fishy, she finally understood that she had been cheated.
She has now filed a police complaint and the case is currently being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code, which deals with fraud and dishonest incitement to deliver property.
Superintendent Hoo stressed the importance of being cautious about online offers and advertisements. He advised the public to be careful and check the legitimacy of such offers before engaging in any financial transaction. “Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their methods. It is crucial to verify the authenticity of any job offers, especially those that require upfront payments,” he warned.
Tips To Protect Yourself From Online Fraud
Don’t be Phished: Verify senders before giving out info – if unsure, call the company directly. Phishing emails and websites can appear very real.
Strong Passwords: Mix it up! Use uppercase, lowercase, numbers & symbols, and make them unique. Don’t reuse passwords across accounts.
Shop Securely: Look for https:// in the address bar before entering any payment details. Be wary of online marketplaces with unfamiliar sellers.
Firewall Your Finances: Keep software and devices updated with the latest security patches.
Scrutinize Statements: Regularly check bank & credit card statements for suspicious activity.
Shred Smart: Don’t let personal details fall into the wrong hands – shred sensitive documents.
Question Crazy Deals: If a deal looks unbelievable, it probably is – steer clear! Be skeptical of unsolicited ads, especially those promising fast money or miracle cures.
Beware Job Scams: Don’t pay upfront fees or give out financial information for a job. Research the company and verify the job listing on their official website.
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