Scammers using dupe wedding invites to scam unsuspecting victims, says Michael Chong

KUALA LUMPUR: Scammers are using malicious links disguised as wedding invitations to steal contact numbers to dupe unsuspecting victims into sending them money, says Datuk Seri Michael Chong. The MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head, at a press conference Tuesday (Nov 25), said that the incident was brought to his attention after a number belonging...

Local celebrity Winnie K loses RM380,000 in fake ‘Datuk’ scam

KUALA LUMPUR: A Malaysian female celebrity became RM380,000 poorer after being deceived by a man who claimed to be a 'Datuk' and offered her a position as an exclusive brand ambassador for a luxury property project. Sharing her story, the victim, Winnie Kok, better known as Winnie K, said she met the man, who introduced himself...

Loan shark victims being duped into settling fake debts by scammers

KUALA LUMPUR: Scammers are now targeting debtors by posing as fake loan sharks and convincing them to settle a fake debt, says Datuk Seri Michael Chong. The MCA Public Services and Complaints Bureau chief said he received 11 complaints of such cases, and two individuals have already deposited five-figure amounts to scammers posing as loan sharks. According...

Police reports filed as customers claim RM15mil loss to watch reseller

KUALA LUMPUR: Multiple police reports have been lodged after at least 20 individuals claimed to have lost over RM15mil in luxury timepieces to a watch reseller. MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head Datuk Seri Michael Chong said clients had entrusted their watches to a shop operated by a woman, who would earn a commission once...

Police reports filed as customers claim RM15mil loss to watch reseller

KUALA LUMPUR: Multiple police reports have been lodged after at least 20 individuals claimed to have lost over RM15mil in luxury timepieces to a watch reseller. MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head Datuk Seri Michael Chong said clients had entrusted their watches to a shop operated by a woman, who would earn a commission once...

‘Unlike other ah longs’: Two families living in constant fear after petrol bomb attacks from extra violent loan shark group

KUALA LUMPUR: Thinking they were dealing with official money lenders in Singapore, two men from different families have now condemned their families to constant harassment and fire bomb attacks from extortionists, with one even injuring a family dog. The two, who live and work in Singapore, had both fallen for the same online trap after they...

Forged signature used to lease Chinese national’s KL condo

KUALA LUMPUR: A fortuitous trip helped a Chinese national avoid losing her apartment after discovering that her signature had been forged. This was revealed by Public Services and Complaints Department head Datuk Seri Michael Chong during a press conference on Thursday (Nov 14). The 46-year-old victim, referred to as Si, purchased a condominium unit on Jalan Tun...

New scam targets those indebted to loan sharks, says Michael Chong

KUALA LUMPUR: Borrowing money from loan sharks is already stressful, but a new wave of deceit has emerged as scammers now attempt to intercept payments from victims to these illicit lenders. One such victim is a 36-year-old who wanted to be known only as Ah Chung, who lost RM1,000 to a scammer after borrowing money for...

Botched plastic surgeries alarming, with at least 126 cases in 18 months

KUALA LUMPUR: Most of the plastic surgery advertisements on social media are put up by unlicensed parties, cosmetic surgeons have warned. Malaysian Association of Plastic, Aesthetic and Craniomaxillofacial Surgeons (Mapacs) president Dr Regunathan Villanayer said complications from botched surgeries could lead to permanent deformation, infection, sinus problems and even death. He said the number of botched surgeries...

Three families disown sons with gambling addictions

KUALA LUMPUR: After constantly being harassed and humiliated by loan sharks or Ah Long, three families have made the extreme decision of disowning their children who took the loans and defaulted on payments. A 50-year-old businesswoman, who only wanted to be known as Kong from Ayer Tawar, Perak said her 23-year-old son had taken loans amounting...