KUCHING: A 71-year-old woman has lost more than RM500,000 after falling prey to a TikTok part-time job scam promising high commissions.
Kuching police chief Asst Comm Alexson Naga Chabu said the victim was first contacted in September by an unknown individual who offered her a supposedly lucrative online job through the social media platform.
Lured by the promise of attractive earnings, she agreed to participate and was assigned several “tasks” to complete. Believing the commissions would follow, the victim proceeded to make 23 payments amounting to RM527,130 into 16 different bank accounts.
“She only realised she had been scammed when the promised commission never materialised,” ACP Alexson said in a statement on Saturday (Nov 29).
Police are investigating the case under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating, which carries a prison term of one to 10 years, whipping and a possible fine.
According to ACP Alexson, 49 similar cases involving the same modus operandi have been recorded since January, with total losses reaching RM2.26 million.
He urged the public to remain cautious of online part-time job offers that guarantee high returns and to verify any suspicious opportunities with the authorities immediately. Source: The Star
🔍 HackWarn.com Analysis
Why This Scam Works
Online part-time job scams thrive because they exploit trust, urgency, and the promise of quick, high returns.
Scammers frequently use popular platforms like TikTok to appear more credible. Victims are slowly drawn in with small “tasks” before being pressured to make repeated payments disguised as “job requirements.” By the time doubts arise, large sums have already been transferred.
🚨 Immediate Action Steps for the Public
- Verify job offers through official company websites or government channels.
- Avoid making upfront payments for any type of online work.
- Never share banking details or personal information with unknown individuals.
- Report suspicious offers immediately to the police or the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) at 997.
- Educate family members, especially senior citizens, who are often targeted by high-return scams.
