JOHOR BARU: A 48-year-old businessman thought he had secured a tender to supply food to schools, but it was a scam that ended up costing him RM800,000.
Batu Pahat OCPD Asst Comm Shahrulanuar Mushaddat Abdullah Sani said the scam began when the victim was approached by a suspect here early last year.
“The suspect offered the victim an opportunity to obtain a tender for supplying food to schools from June 1 last year until Oct 31 next year,” he said on Wednesday (Oct 30).
He said the victim took up the offer as he was attracted by the promise of getting as much as 17% return on investment.
“From Feb 10 to Oct 4 last year, the victim issued cheques amounting to RM800,000 in stages to the suspect," ACP Shahrulanuar Mushaddat said.
"Until he lodged a police report on Tuesday (Oct 29), he had not received any of the promised returns and the suspect could no longer be contacted.
“The victim realised he had been duped,” he said.
The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.
ACP Shahrulanuar Mushaddat urged the public not to believe promises of attractive investments, and to check with verified sources before making any financial commitments.
