KUALA TERENGGANU: A company manager lost RM238,000 to a scam involving a log business deal.
Kuala Terengganu district police chief Assistant Commissioner Azli Mohd Noor said the 38-year-old victim, who is also a logging contractor, met two recent male acquaintances on Aug 21, 2022.
During the meeting, they discussed the log trade, and the suspects claimed they had obtained approval from Felcra Bhd to extract and sell the remaining logs.
"The victim, intrigued by the offer, agreed to buy the logs for RM450,000.
"The victim then drafted a contract with the suspects at a law office.
"The victim also visited the logging site and inspected the area, which increased his confidence in the offer."
Azli said the victim then made phased payments of RM238,000 to the two men by transferring money to two accounts, as directed by the suspects.
The victim was contacted last year by the Kuala Terengganu North District Forestry Office, which informed him that verification with Felcra Bhd revealed that the documents provided by the two men were forged.
Azli said Felcra Bhd had also never granted the log concession project to the two men.
The victim then contacted the two men to demand a refund, but the suspects refused to comply.
"Feeling he had been deceived, the victim reported the incident to the Kuala Terengganu police station yesterday. The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code," he said.
Azli urged the public to remain vigilant and cautious, and to verify information before proceeding with any transactions to avoid falling victim to scams.