KOTA KINABALU: Police have opened 290 investigation papers involving online fraud with total losses of RM14.628 million between early January and March 15 this year, according to acting Kota Kinabalu police chief Supt Syed Lot Syed Ab Rahman.
He said 214 of the cases were linked to online vehicle sale scams, resulting in losses of RM11.12 million.
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He added that 46 cases involved e-commerce vehicle purchases, with losses amounting to RM328,888 over the same period.
Syed Lot said the syndicate’s modus operandi involved vehicle owners advertising their cars for sale on social media platforms such as
Facebook and
Mudah.my before scammers reposted the listings at lower prices to attract buyers.
He said victims who expressed interest would be directed to meet the original owners to view the vehicles, while the syndicate simultaneously dealt with the owners and arranged for others to show the cars.
He added that once victims agreed to purchase, they were instructed to make advance payments, after which the owners refused to release the vehicles due to not receiving payment, while the syndicate disappeared and could not be contacted.
Syed Lot said investigations found the syndicate acted as middlemen without direct meetings between victims and vehicle owners, and advised the public to verify sellers before making payments, including for homestay bookings advertised on social media, and to remain vigilant against online scams.
