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A 50-YEAR-old trader has lost more than RM175,000 after falling victim to a fraudulent purchase order scheme involving a fake consignment purportedly from the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) in Putrajaya.
The scam began when the victim was informed by his foster brother on 3 June that a government-linked order had been placed for sports equipment to be delivered to a college in Setiu. The foster brother, lacking capital, sought the victim’s help in fulfilling the order.
Kuala Terengganu District Police Chief, Assistant Commissioner Azli Mohd Noor, said the victim agreed to supply the items and was scheduled to make the delivery on 8 June.
At the same time, the victim was contacted by a woman identifying herself as “Puan Nadhirah” from the KBS office in Putrajaya, who allegedly placed additional orders for items including dates, ceremonial daggers (keris), and commemorative plaques.
“When the victim's usual supplier could not fulfil the order, the suspect provided a contact for another supplier, claiming they could source the requested items,” Azli said.
Trusting the referral, the victim proceeded to make multiple payments in instalments to several accounts for the goods. However, he later discovered that neither the supplier nor the alleged government official were affiliated with KBS, and that the entire order was fictitious.
The trader suffered a financial loss totalling RM175,452.80, having used his own savings and those of his business partner to process the order.
Realising he had been defrauded, the victim lodged a police report. The case is now under investigation under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating. - June 15, 2025
