A wiring contractor suffered losses amounting to RM50,400 after falling victim to a fake tender scam involving the supply of portable chargers.
Kuala Terengganu district police chief Assistant Commissioner Azli Mohd Noor said the 52-year-old male victim lodged a police report at around 3.58pm yesterday after realising he had been deceived.
He said the incident began on 14 July when the victim was at his office along Jalan Sultan Zainal Abidin before receiving a quotation email related to the installation of solar LED street lights under a special allocation from the Local Government Department (JKT).
Following the email, the victim contacted an individual known as Nik Syahril, who allegedly claimed to be an employee of the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT).
Azli said the suspect then offered the victim an opportunity to supply three units of Anker Solix F3800 portable chargers at RM16,800 each and introduced another company, Xynova Trading, as the supplier.
The victim later communicated with another individual known as James through WhatsApp before making two payments into an RHB Bank account belonging to the company last Thursday.
The first transaction involved RM40,400, followed by a second payment of RM10,000, bringing the total amount transferred to RM50,400 from the victim’s business savings.
However, Azli said the victim became suspicious on 25 July after attempting to contact the supplier again and discovering that all communication channels had been blocked.
The victim then realised he had been deceived and lodged a police report. The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.
Azli advised the public to verify any tender offers or supplier details with the relevant agencies before making payments to avoid falling victim to similar scams.
