A restaurant assistant in Terengganu was cheated of RM77,889 after joining a fraudulent online affiliate scheme promoted via WhatsApp.
KUALA TERENGGANU: A 34-year-old restaurant assistant was cheated of RM77,889 after being lured into a fraudulent online affiliate scheme.
Kuala Terengganu police chief ACP Azli Mohd Noor said the victim was offered the job on 4 October via WhatsApp by a male acquaintance initially met on Instagram.
The suspect promised a 10% return on every sale of women’s clothing and accessories from his shop.
Eager to earn extra money, the victim joined the scheme and was instructed to register as a seller on the ‘Lazada East Asia’ application.
He received several orders but was required to pay processing fees upfront, with a promise of refunds and profit.
Using his savings and loans from friends and relatives, the victim transferred a total of RM77,889 in stages to six different bank accounts between 16 October and 26 November.
He only realised he had been cheated on 8 December when he failed to receive any promised refunds or profits.
“The victim filed a police report at 4.10 pm yesterday,” Azli said in a statement.
The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating. – Bernama
