WITH the costs of living and running businesses rising, people have had to borrow money to keep things afloat.
Recently, it was claimed that fake moneylenders have noticed this and are turning to social media to seek out potential victims. Is there any truth to this?
VERDICT:
TRUE
In a recent statement, Perak police chief Comm Datuk Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri said a 51-year-old businesswoman lost RM213,700 after coming across an advertisement on Instagram for "Kelvin Loan Sales Consultant (Ambank)".
He said the victim had intended to take a loan for RM70,000, contacted the number advertised and discussed the transaction with a man who identified himself as Thong Ji Sing.
"The victim had asked the victim to carry out several financial transactions as processing fees for the loan,” said Comm Mohd Yusri.
He said from Sept 11 to 16, the victim made 25 transactions to 16 different banks for a total of RM100,020 as directed by the suspect.
"The victim had also come across another advertisement on Instagram for Syarikat Desmond Lai Pentagon Credit and applied for a RM60,000 loan," he said.
"During the course of negotiations, the victim was asked to deposit money as processing fees and made 24 transactions to 14 different banks, incurring an amount of RM113,680,” added Comm Mohd Yusri.
He said the victim did not receive the loan amount promised despite carrying out 49 transactions, and realised that she had been cheated when her attempts to contact the suspects failed.
