SHAH ALAM, April 20 — The Selangor police have crippled a fraud syndicate claiming to be an agent to find part-time workers for the e-commerce platform, Lazada, involving a total loss of more than RM200,000.
Selangor Commercial Crime Investigation Department chief ACP Muhammad Yazid Muhammad Yew said victims who have been offered a job as an online shopping agent by the syndicate were required to complete the task of selling goods and pay some costs to enable them to get the promised profit.
“Since February 6 until today, 23 investigation papers have been opened regarding the syndicate, involving a total loss of RM219,271.
“The syndicate will usually return the cost paid by the victims, together with the commission as promised, after they finished their first and second tasks, but for the next tasks, the syndicate will start giving excuses before being unable to be contacted,” he said in a statement today.
Muhammad Yazid said the syndicate would order the victims to pay the price of the goods listed after being contacted via an unknown phone number or Whatsapp application.
However, he said the payment would be not be made through Lazada’s account but directly to the bank account provided by the syndicate.
“The payment is actually not for the purchase of the goods but to increase the sale rating in Lazada’s account. The syndicate will also promise the victims that they will get back the amount paid for the goods, together with a commission of between eight and 15 per cent before disappearing,” he said.
As such, Muhammad Yazid advised members of the public to always exercise caution when dealing with parties that offer part-time jobs, especially through online platforms.
— Bernama
