A WOMAN lost RM155,788 after falling victim to an online scam involving the purchase of a branded cookware set from overseas.
Brickfields District Police Chief Assistant Commissioner Hoo Chang Hook said the 50-year-old, who works for a private company, had encountered an advertisement for the cookware on Instagram in September.
He explained that the woman proceeded to place an order online and made an initial payment to a bank account provided by the seller.
She was later contacted by several individuals who claimed to represent the seller, customs authorities and the central bank, and was told that further payments were required for reasons such as customs clearance, deposits and administrative charges.
Following their instructions, the victim transferred money in multiple transactions to a total of 18 different bank accounts.
“Up to now, the victim has not received the purchased item, and the suspects have continued to give various excuses,” Hoo said.
Realising she had been deceived, the woman lodged a police report, with total losses amounting to RM155,788. The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code.
Hoo advised the public to exercise greater caution when shopping online and to avoid being easily swayed by attractive offers.
He added that consumers should verify the credibility of sellers and platforms, check reviews, use secure payment methods and be wary of deals that appear unusually cheap.
“When in doubt, it is safer to walk away from a transaction than risk becoming a fraud victim,” he said. —Dec 15, 2025
Main image: Flickr
