KOTA BARU: The Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry has cautioned consumers not be deceived by the latest tactics employed by a scratch and win syndicate in Kelantan.
The latest tactics employed by the syndicate sees them offering gifts such as soaps and fragrances as bait to participate.
“Do not be fooled by the gift of soap and fragrance,” said the ministry’s chief enforcement officer Fidous Zakaria
He said so far the ministry had received 13 complaints from consumers who were duped by the syndicate.
He added another four complaints on the scam was lodged by consumers at the Malaysian Consumers Tribunal, making a total of 17 such complaints received by the authorities on the matter.
“One of the complaints received saw a victim losing RM17,000,” he said, adding that the victims duped by the syndicate included senior citizens, professionals and housewives.
“The total loss reported stands at RM100,000 from April to date,” he said when met at the ministry’s Hari Raya Celebrations here today.
He said the modus operandi utilised by the syndicate apart from offering free gifts, includes getting its members to sweet talk unsuspecting consumers into participating.
“As soon as interest is shown, the victims will be taken to a shop where more rewarding gifts are offered.
“But in order to get the prize, they will need to purchase a product introduced.
“The victims will also have to sign a document provided which contain clauses, among others, stating that the goods sold is non-refundable, and this makes enforcement on the matter difficult,” he said.
He added that the syndicated preferred payments be made via debit or credit cards.
It is also understood that the syndicate has been operating at supermarkets in Pengkalan Chepa, Tumpat and Bukit Bunga.