MALAYSIA : A 37-year-old housewife lost RM66,805 after falling victim to an online part-time job scam posing as a Shopee product review opportunity, police said today.
Kuala Terengganu police chief ACP Azli Mohd Noor said the victim received a call on Nov 30 from an individual claiming to represent Shopee. On Dec 5, the suspect even sent her a tumbler as a “gift” before offering her a paid role as a product reviewer.
After agreeing, the victim was added to a Telegram group named “Cahaya Usaha”, where she was assigned tasks requiring upfront payments with promises of refunds and profit.
She made six payments between Dec 8 and Dec 10 but received no returns. Realising she had been scammed, she lodged a police report yesterday. The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating. Source: BERNAMA
🔍 HackWarn.com Quick Analysis
How the Scam Worked
- Scammer built trust by posing as a Shopee representative.
- A physical gift (tumbler) was used to appear legitimate.
- Victim was added to a Telegram “task group” a common tactic in fake job scams.
- Upfront payments were demanded with promises of refunds and high returns.
Key Warning Signs
- Legitimate companies never require payment for job tasks.
- Telegram groups used for “missions” or “tasks” are common fraud setups.
- Physical gifts are often used to lower suspicion.
What the Public Should Do
- Verify job offers directly with official company channels.
- Never make upfront payments for part-time or online work.
- Report suspicious job offers to the police or the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) at 997.
