Customer’s savings wiped out by suspected fraud; Stampin MP demands full refund by bank

KUCHING (April 1): Stampin MP Chong Chieng Jen has called on a local bank and Bank Negara to review a disputed case involving alleged unauthorised debit card transactions that wiped out a customer’s savings.

Speaking in a Facebook Live session today, Chong highlighted the case of a customer, identified only as Mr Chai, who claimed that nearly all the funds in his account had been siphoned off through a series of suspicious transactions.

According to Chong, the long-time account holder was shocked to discover earlier this year that his balance, which should have been around RM5,000 to RM6,000, had dwindled to just RM3.98.

Subsequent checks revealed multiple small charges, including repeated RM79.99 transactions allegedly originating from overseas, which eventually depleted the account.

“He (Mr Chai) uses a handphone like all of us (but) he did not receive any notification that there were charges made to his account, his debit card,” said Chong.

Although the bank acknowledged that RM4,838.67 worth of transactions were unauthorised, Chong said it offered to refund only about RM1,300, citing the time lapse of some disputed charges.

He criticised this partial reimbursement, stressing that the bank should honour a full refund given the clear evidence of fraudulent activity.

“It is very obvious that the bank’s red flag mechanism at the time of transaction did not operate.

“So these are circumstances that justify a full refund of the amount that has been scammed from Mr Chai,” Chong added.

He said he would be writing to Bank Negara and the bank’s top executives to press for a fair resolution.

He assured that updates would be provided following his letters and expressed hope that Mr Chai would eventually receive the full refund.