Woman discovers alleged identity misuse dating back nearly 20 years

A 42-year-old web designer from Kota Kinabalu, Tan, fears her ability to secure medical insurance could be impacted following the discovery of alleged identity theft dating back nearly two decades. During a dental check-up at a private hospital in Kota Kinabalu on February 11, 2025, Tan was informed that her details were already listed in the hospital's system, revealing a man named Yee Sheau Siang, 44, had been mistaken as her fiancé.

Further investigation uncovered an outstanding Unifi account bill of RM2,487.65 registered under Tan's details, along with an allegation that her identity was used for medical treatment at a Kuala Lumpur private hospital between 2008 and 2009 and to register a Unifi account in 2007, which was blacklisted in 2017. Tan has lodged police reports in Kota Kinabalu, Dang Wangi, and Brickfields, as well as filed complaints with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), Health Ministry, and Personal Data Protection Department.

She expressed concern that the purported impersonator's medical records could adversely affect future insurance applications, as insurers might mistakenly assume she had illnesses or undergone treatments she did not experience. Michael Chong, the MCA Public Services and Complaints Department chief, emphasized the severe and lasting consequences of identity misuse, noting that 13 such cases were reported last year and this year, with losses ranging from RM800 to RM750,000.

Chong urged individuals who lose their identity cards to immediately report it to the police and cautioned against casually sharing or photographing their cards. Legal representative Esther Ho stated that investigators need to ascertain how Tan's personal information was obtained, who utilized it, and whether false or forged documents were involved, as well as establish Yee's role based on the evidence.