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 Razak in 2018.
Si was persuaded to do business with a supposed Chinese national with PR status in Malaysia, believing she would receive a Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) visa and send her son to study there.
She proceeded with the purchase based on a recommendation from a mutual friend.
However, during the Movement Control Order at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, Si was unable to travel to Malaysia. She authorised the agent to renovate and furnish the unit as she could not do so herself.
Upon her arrival in Malaysia earlier this year, Si was shocked to find that the unit was not furnished as specified and was occupied by a tenant.
The tenant presented a tenancy agreement bearing a forged signature of hers, diverting rent money to the agent instead.
Further investigation revealed that the agent had attempted to sell the unit using the forged signature as well.
"I have not authorised the unit to be rented out. That was not my signature," she said through an interpreter.
Si is unsure how long the unit was rented out or how many tenants it had, but the current tenant informed her he had paid about RM30,000 for his stay.
Attempts to contact both the agent and the mutual friend have been unsuccessful. Further checks revealed that the agent was not an employee of the supposed China-based bank he claimed to represent.
Chong said that the department has instructed their lawyer to assist Si with the issue, and a police report was lodged in October.
"I urge everyone, landlords and tenants alike, to thoroughly review every document before signing," he advised.
