JITRA: The Cancer Survivors Malaysia (CSM), a non-governmental organisation, has filed a police report against a university student who duped it and several others by claiming that his family had financial difficulties and needed help with paying for his tuition fee.
CSM chairman Zuraini Kamal said the student, in his 20s who identified himself as Lim, contacted her last Sunday requesting assistance in raising RM5,000 for his tuition fee, failing which he could get expelled from a public university.
"Out of sympathy, I posted his plight on my Facebook page, together with his bank account number, asking friends to help him as I was worried he might not be able to continue his studies," Zuraini said, adding that she managed to raise RM1,176 within a few hours.
However, when Zuraini reached out to an NGO in Penang to get him further assistance, she learnt that the NGO previously helped the student raise more than RM30,000, but he used the money for online gambling instead.
Zuraini attempted to confront the student, but he denied the allegations and even threatened to self harm.
She told the student to return the funds collected through her bank account to reimburse the donors, many of whom are CSM members.
"The student and his father contacted me more than 30 times to apologise and ask me to delete my Facebook post. I have contacted the university, which confirmed that the student is still enrolled and is aware of his tactics to solicit funds," she said.
Zuraini decided to report the matter to the Kubang Pasu police headquarters to prevent other NGOs from falling victim to his schemes.
She said the student previously used a similar tactic, claiming his father was disabled and that his mother worked at a market in Jalan Teluk Wanjah.
He also mentioned that his younger sibling had recently started university, contributing to his family's inability to pay his fees.
Zuraini added that she had spoken to representatives from other NGOs who had been scammed by the student.
"I hope the authorities take action against this student to serve as a lesson for him in the future."
A representative from the Penang NGO, Eng Hiap Boo, said at least seven NGOs in the state had also fallen victim to the student's fraud since April this year but none of them reported it after he threatened to kill himself.
"When Zuraini contacted me yesterday, we agreed to support her in making the police report and entrusting the investigation to law enforcement."
He said that the student had been deceiving others two years and had scammed several prominent individuals as well.
"The NGO plans to hold a press conference with other NGOs in Penang and Alor Star to expose the student's fraudulent activities and boost awareness to prevent a recurrence," he said.