Bau man loses RM9,800 to 4WD purchase scam found on Facebook

KUCHING (Sept 22): A 55-year-old man in Bau lost RM9,800 while attempting to purchase a vehicle online this month.

Bau police chief Supt Mohd Haide A Rahman said the ordeal began on Sept 15 when the victim stumbled on a Facebook advertisement for a four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicle priced at RM18,250.

Attracted by the offer, the victim immediately contacted the supposed agent via WhatsApp to express his interest.

He was then instructed to transfer RM3,000 as a ‘booking fee’.

“On Sept 17, he made two transactions amounting to RM5,000 at an ATM machine in Moyan Baru to a bank account after he was contacted by another agent.

“At the same place on the next day, he made another transfer of RM1,800 to another bank account – purportedly to release the car from the bank’s storage,” Mohd Haide said in a statement.

The victim was later told there was an error with the payment, which supposedly needed an additional RM6,800 to activate.

He did not pay this amount.

“The victim realised he had been cheated after both of the supposed agents refused to meet him,” Mohd Haide said.

The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating and dishonestly inducing the delivery of property.