BATU PAHAT: A trader lost RM140,000 after being deceived by an individual who bought two of his Rolex watches using a fake cheque last Monday.
The incident began when the 47-year-old male victim advertised his branded watches for sale on Facebook at a price of RM88,000 on Oct 27.
Batu Pahat district police chief, Assistant Commissioner Shahrulanuar Mushaddat Abdullah Sani, said the victim then received a message on Facebook from an individual, believed to be an unknown man.
He said the conversation between the victim and the suspect continued on WhatsApp regarding the intention to buy the watches.
"The suspect expressed his intention to purchase the watch, and the victim subsequently offered another branded watch for sale at RM52,000 to the suspect.
"The suspect agreed to purchase both watches, with a total value of RM140,000, and the payment would be made into the victim's account," he said in a statement.
He added that on Nov 4, the victim received a message from the suspect stating that the payment had been made through a cheque deposit machine.
"The victim checked and found the amount was reflected in his account. The suspect then asked the victim to send the watches via courier.
"The next day, the victim discovered that the RM140,000 in his account had disappeared, and the cheque used by the suspect was a fake cheque.
"As a result, the victim felt cheated and lodged a report at the Batu Pahat District Police Headquarters yesterday. The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code," he said.