Kota Kinabalu: The Sarawak Police urgent the public to always verify claims before parting with money, and report suspected scams within 24 hours.
The strong public advice cane after a 59-year-old local woman lost nearly RM146,000 in an elaborate project subcontract fraud linked to a purported Sabah Electricity project in Ranau.
According to Kuching District Police Chief ACP Alexson Naga Chabu, the victim was introduced to the suspect by an acquaintance in late December 2025.
The suspect claimed to have the authority and connections to secure subcontract work for the victim’s construction and electrical wiring company, falsely stating the firm had been awarded a project under Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) in the Ranau area.
To “secure” the deal, the suspect demanded payments purportedly for locking fees, equipment rental, workers’ salaries, mobilisation costs and site expenses, Alexson said.
Believing the claims, he said investigation revealed that the victim made five separate transactions totalling RM145,247 into four different accounts between January 2 and January 14, 2026.
The victim only lodged a police report on August 8, months after the money was lost.
Police remind the public that legitimate contracts never require advance personal payments to “lock in” projects.
“Always verify offers through official channels. Use the Semak Mule portal to check suspicious accounts or numbers. If you are defrauded, report it within 24 hours to the NSRC hotline at 997 — delays can make recovery far more difficult.”The case is investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating, which carries upon conviction a jail term of one to 10 years, whipping, and possible fine.
Suspected commercial crimes in the state may also be reported to the Sarawak Commercial Crime Investigation Department via call, message or WhatsApp at 011-62890089, or email kjsjkswk@rmp.gov.my.