Despite having multiple press conferences on “love scams” for several years, Chong lamented that such scams are still rampant in the country.
At yet another press conference today, Chong was accompanied by a woman, known only as Ms Chua, who fell victim to a “common” love scam, as Chong described.
However, Chong explained, Chua still does not believe that it is a scam.
Chua had befriended a man on Facebook who went by the pseudonym of Michael Wong. Wong told Ms Chua that he was a pilot for China Airlines, and had two kids after losing his wife when the second child was born.
After several conversations over the phone, Wong told Chua that he was going to send her a parcel containing US dollars. He asked Chua for an RM3,800 deposit.
However, before receiving the parcel, Chua received a call from a lady who went by the name of Nurtiha binti Rahman, who claimed that she was from the Customs Department.
Nurtiha told Chua that she had to pay RM15,000 in tax to Customs as the parcel contained US dollars.
Chua did not pay but she still believes that the parcel is being held by the Customs Department.
“He said he was a pilot, so he must be quite rich. I still believe that the parcel is at Customs, but I do not believe that I am going to get back my RM3,800,” said Chua.
Chong said there had been 27 “love scam” cases last year. So far this year, 21 cases have been reported as of October 31.
“There were even cases where the victims committed suicide. The biggest problem is that most of these victims do not lodge police reports because they are ashamed.
“I urge the victims to please make police reports. Most of these cases involve both foreigners and locals, and the police have managed to nab a few of them in the past,” said Chong.
He urged the public to be more aware of the issue and hopes that media coverage on such scams will be able to educate more people.