Trader loses RM315,963 in bogus projector order scam in Pahang

KUALA LUMPUR: A 52-year-old trader suffered significant financial loss after falling victim to a scam involving fake education office staff impersonating as suppliers. The victim, who owns a photocopying and printing shop in Pahang, reported losing RM315,963 in what authorities are investigating as a case of cheating under the Penal Code.

According to Pahang acting police chief Datuk Azry Akmar Ayob, the scam began on September 1 when the victim received a message purportedly from a Shahrizal claiming to be from the Kuala Kangsar education office. The scammer initially asked the victim to prepare a quotation for delivering examination papers, before escalating the scheme on September 10.

Shahrizal then instructed the victim to contact an individual known as Jacky to arrange the delivery of two projectors. The victim made a payment of RM18,498 to Jacky, after which she received an image purportedly showing the delivery of the projectors to the education office.

On September 11, Shahrizal contacted the victim again with an order for 50 projectors, providing a forged Local Order to further legitimize the scam. The victim transferred a staggering RM297,465 into a bank account linked to PNCK Trading. Despite requesting company registration documents and tax identification numbers, the victim received no response from PNCK Trading.

Realizing she had been deceived when she could no longer contact the suspects, the victim lodged a police report on September 12. The case is now being probed under Section 420 of the Penal Code, which prescribes penalties of imprisonment ranging from one to ten years, along with caning and a fine upon conviction. Authorities have advised the public to verify bank account details through the Semak Mule portal before engaging in any financial transactions.