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POLICE in Kuala Terengganu have warned the public to remain vigilant against increasingly sophisticated online and commercial fraud schemes after two victims lost a combined RM147,235 in separate scam operations involving emotional manipulation and a fake government procurement deal.
Kuala Terengganu police chief Assistant Commissioner Azli Mohd Noor said the first case involved a single mother in her late 30s who worked as a shop assistant and was allegedly deceived by a man she met through TikTok.
According to police, the woman became acquainted with the suspect, who identified himself as “Fazrul Mohamad”, in April before their communication moved to WhatsApp.
Azli said the suspect gradually gained the victim’s trust before requesting financial assistance under various pretexts.
“On April 10, the suspect asked the victim to make payment for a hotel booking before the woman transferred RM500 to a Touch ‘n Go account under the name Nur Hidayah Binti Mahidin.
“The suspect later again sought assistance, allegedly to reactivate his frozen bank account,” he said in a statement.
Police said the victim subsequently transferred RM60,000 through a Bank Rakyat counter into a CIMB account registered under the name Suzana Binti Bahari on April 22.
The total losses suffered by the victim amounted to RM60,500, involving both her personal savings and a loan obtained from Bank Rakyat.
In a separate case, a 54-year-old trader lost RM86,735 after allegedly being duped by a syndicate operating a non-existent school furniture supply tender.
Azli said the businessman was approached at his premises on April 30 by a Malay man claiming to be “Cikgu Faizal” from Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Bukit Sawa.
The suspect initially discussed a supply arrangement involving tiles for the school before expanding the order to include 45 sets of canteen tables and chairs valued at RM122,450.
“The individual initially discussed supplying tiles to the school before also placing an order for 45 sets of canteen tables and chairs worth RM122,450.
“The victim was later advised to deal with a supplier known as Kevin, who allegedly represented a company called Home Hisya Trading, before making two deposit transactions totalling RM86,735 into the account of Noviti Construction on May 6 and 7,” he said.
The businessman only became suspicious after visiting SMK Bukit Sawa on May 9 to verify the procurement arrangements.
“Checks revealed that there had been no purchase or delivery arrangements as claimed, and the documents received by the victim were also found to be fake.
“Both victims eventually realised they had been deceived before lodging police reports for further action,” Azli said.
Police said both cases are being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating. - May 10, 2026