From ‘Winning’ RM3k to Owing RM10.5k: How a Simple WhatsApp Call Ruined This Ipoh Housewife’s Finances

A Malaysian housewife lost over RM10,000 after falling victim to scammers posing as customer service officers from an online shopping platform.

Speaking at a press conference held by Perak MCA Public Services and Complaints Bureau chief Charles Yuen, the victim, identified only as Tan, said the scammers remotely controlled her phone, made unauthorised purchases, and even took out a RM6,000 loan in her name.

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Ipoh woman loses RM10,500 after falling for fake prize scam

Tan recalled receiving a WhatsApp call on 1 July, with the caller claiming she had won a RM3,000 prize through the platform’s promotional campaign, according to Oriental Daily.

She was given the option of receiving shopping vouchers or having the prize credited as cash to her e-wallet. After choosing the cash reward, the call was transferred to another person who claimed to be a “manager”.

“The caller had what sounded like an Indonesian accent. I simply followed all of their instructions. They took control of my phone screen and kept directing me to click on different pages without giving me any time to think,” she said.

The scammers then sent Tan a link and instructed her to enter her bank account credentials. Realising she might have been duped, she ended the call, which had lasted around 30 to 45 minutes.

She then contacted the platform’s official customer service through its app, froze her bank account, and lodged a police report. Tan later discovered that the complaint she had submitted through the app, along with the screenshots and supporting documents, had mysteriously disappeared from her phone.

Victim refuses to repay the fraudulent charges and loan

Tan was also shocked to find that the loan had been set up as a 24-month instalment plan, requiring monthly repayments of more than RM300, even though she never received any of the money.

On top of that, she discovered that the RM4,500 Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) transaction had been transferred to a business, despite never having purchased anything.

Tan said she has refused to repay both the BNPL charges and the loan, adding that the online platform has yet to give her a clear answer apart from saying that investigations are ongoing.

Yuen has since urged e-commerce platforms to strengthen the security of their digital payment and financing services. He also reminded the public not to trust “prize winner” notifications received through unofficial channels.

He further encouraged people to regularly check their CTOS and CCRIS credit records to detect any unauthorised loans taken out in their names.

Stay tuned to WORLD OF BUZZ for more updates!

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