By Khoo Boo Khai/pictures provided by interviewees
Scammed while shopping online
Videographer Tarren Tan was an unfortunate scam victim when he was still a college student. His first encounter with an online scammer left him feeling angry and nervous.
At a time when Tan was anxiously surfing the Internet to browse various online sources for some video shooting equipment, an individual identifying himself/herself as a seller of video equipment sent Tan a Facebook message to offer him a good deal on some sought-after tools.
Although Tan was aware of the risks involved in buying things online via Facebook, he felt he had no choice as he was desperately in need of such equipment.
The seller however became uncontactable once the money was transferred . Tan later lodged a police report and informed the bank authorities about the scam for further action .
Tan mentioned that he did not expect to get the money back as he was aware that the chances of such an outcome would be slim . However, half a year later, Tan received a letter from the bank authorities that the seller had returned the money amounting to RM1200 to Tan’s account because the alleged perpetrator wanted the bank to unfreeze his bank account.
A victim of phone scam
Yuki Woo is a Year 3 student majoring in Journalism at Han Chiang University of Communication (HCUC). Woo had received a strange phone call from a scammer who told her that Woo had been involved in a network that was responsible for money laundering and drug trafficking. The scammer demanded her cooperation to exit the so-called network.
Feeling panicky, Woo obliged the caller’s request by providing details of her personal information such as her ID card number and bank account number. The stranger promised he would guide her through the investigation of her involvement in the alleged criminal activity and prohibited her from breathing a word to anyone about this matter.
Yuki was nevertheless suspicious and decided to check her bank account soon after the call. She discovered that RM1500 had been withdrawn from her account. She had just lost the sum total of her earnings as a temporary teacher.
She immediately lodged a police report and notified the bank authorities to freeze her bank account. She explained that although the money was never returned to her, she had learnt a costly life lesson.
Yuki advises everyone not to disclose their personal details or pick up calls from unknown strangers.
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