KUALA LUMPUR: A restaurant operator has warned of a new scam tactic to extort money from targeted victims.
The 65-year-old, who gave his name only as Ma, said the incident occurred on June 23 at his Jalan Kuchai Lama restaurant.
"One of my staff found a sling bag on a chair that day and there was RM100 in it.
"The bag was handed over to the cashier for safekeeping.
"Three days later, two men in their 30s came and asked for the bag," he told reporters at the MCA Public Services and Complaints Department here on Friday (June 30).
He said the men claimed there should have been over RM3,000 in the bag instead of just RM100.
"They insisted that a private settlement be made or they would lodge a police report.
"They also threatened to have my foreign workers arrested if I did not settle the matter," he said.
Ma added that he believed the men were trying to extort money from him.
Restaurant and Bistro Owners Association chairman William Lee said they were highlighting the case to the media to warn others of this scam.
"We believe this is a new tactic that syndicates are using to get easy money from victims. Don't fall prey," he said.
MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head Datuk Seri Michael Chong urged those who believe they have been targeted by such scams to come forward immediately.
"If you are honest, there is nothing to worry about," he said.
