Elderly woman in Kuching loses over RM500,000 in TikTok job scam

KUCHING (Nov 29): A 71-year-old woman here lost a total of RM527,130 after falling victim to a job scam in September this year.

Kuching police chief ACP Alexson Naga Chabu said the victim, who filed a report on Friday, received a message on TikTok on Sept 1 from an unknown individual offering an online part-time job via the ‘TK Shop’ platform.

“The victim was promised a lucrative commission for each completed task, and was given several tasks to complete.

“Throughout the so-called part time job, she made 23 transactions into 16 separate bank accounts as instructed and only realised she had been cheated when she failed to receive any of the promised commissions,” he said in a statement.

Alexson said the case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property, which provides for imprisonment of between one and 10 years, whipping and possible fine, if convicted.

He informed that from January to Nov 29 this year, the Kuching Commercial Crime Investigation Division has opened 49 investigation papers for cases involving similar modus operandi, involving losses totaling RM2,268,373.24 including this latest case.

“Never trust any part-time job offer on social media that promises lucrative profits. If you have been cheated and suffered losses, lodge a complaint via the National Scam Response Centre hotline on 997 within 24 hours,” he said.