PADAWAN: Police here recorded 20 cases of ‘scratch and win’ contest scams with losses amounting to RM88,679 from Jan 1 to Nov 30 this year.
Padawan CCID chief ASP Tina Manchu said last month, complaints of fraud cases involving ‘scratch and win’ companies had increased with the companies active in holding such contests around Siburan.
ASP Tina revealed that majority of the public who had fallen victim to the scams were aged between 35 and 60.
“The modus operandi begins with greeting the victim, who happened to randomly be at the location of the contest, where the suspect will offer a lucky draw.
“As a result of the draw, the victim was offered gifts such as electrical goods, household and kitchen appliances. In order to claim the gifts, the victim is then asked to make a payment in advance using a debit or credit card.
“The suspect will then use the victim’s card to enter an amount determined by the suspect without the victim’s permission, which is around RM2,000 to RM7,000.
“The victim was not informed directly until realising the money had been withdrawn from the account or the credit card usage charges were high.”
The public are advised to be more careful and they can make their complaints at any nearby police station or directly to the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) Sarawak.
