A Malaysian woman has faced a bigger disaster while trying to recover money from an online scam. In the hope of getting back just RM1,500 (S$475), she approached a so-called law firm that was calling itself an ‘anti-scam law’ firm. But in the end, that decision led to the biggest financial disaster of her life.
According to the allegations, the woman later lost about RM1.2 million (S$385K). The matter was recently brought to the public by MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head Datuk Seri Michael Chong.
Fraudulent Trap
MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head Michael Chong said that some fake law firms are advertising extensively online and claiming that they can recover 90 to 95 percent of the money she was scammed out of. After initially losing RM1,500, the woman believed in this tempting promise.
Gradually, she was asked to pay more money under various pretexts. In the end, her savings were almost completely depleted. Chong said this is another example of ‘scammers scamming people again’.
More Victims
Chong said this is not the only incident. In another incident, a man was first scammed out of RM390,000 (S$123,000). He then paid RM33,000 (S$10,400) to a fake law firm in the hope of getting his money back.
But he eventually realized that he had been scammed again. Chong said none of the victims who came to his office have been able to recover a single ringgit so far.
Mental Devastation
Chong said such scams not only cause financial losses but also mental devastation. Many victims lose all their savings and become desperate.
Some take loans from Ah Longs or moneylenders in the hope of recouping the losses, which leads to them falling into deeper trouble. Chong said this completely ruins people’s lives.
Lawyers’ Warning
Present at the press conference was senior lawyer Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah. He said that advertising by lawyers in Malaysia is subject to strict regulations. According to him, the advertisements of these so-called law firms are not legal.
He added that the claim of 95 percent success is just a ploy to arouse people’s greed. He commented that such advertisements are made especially targeting the Chinese community.
Suspicious Identity
Shafee also questioned why these firms are claiming to be ‘cross-border’ law firms. According to him, if they are truly international law firms, then why are they transacting in ringgit currency?
He said that these indications indicate that the victims are mainly Malaysian citizens.
Reaction on Social Media
After the incident came to light, a wide discussion started on social media. Many commented that the true nature of the entire incident is still not clear, and it is important to hear both sides. Some said that the Malaysian Bar Council usually takes a very strict stance on these issues, so they are hopeful that appropriate action will be taken to protect the reputation of the legal profession.
However, according to another section of netizens, there are clearly some serious irregularities in the matter. They claim that the Bar Council should launch an investigation immediately. Overall, many believe that this incident is a big warning to the general public about how dangerous it is to blindly believe online advertisements.
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