Malaysian homeowner loses RM18,408 in job scam fraud

BAGAN DATUK, 4 OCTOBER 2026 —

A 23-year-old homemaker in Bagan Datuk lost RM18,408 after falling victim to a job scam on September 30, with police confirming the fraud was orchestrated through a Facebook advertisement and Telegram app, according to Superintendent Mohammad Ali Mohd. Jali, the district police chief.

The victim, who clicked on a part-time work-from-home ad promising commission-based earnings for wrapping packages, was directed to contact a phone number listed in the post. She was then instructed to join a Telegram account where she was asked to fill out a personal information form, followed by daily package-wrapping tasks. Upon receiving deliveries at her home, she was told to ship them—but only after making upfront payments for each assignment.

According to Mohammad Ali, the woman made 12 separate transactions totaling RM18,408 to various accounts, only to realize later that the promised commissions never materialized. Investigations revealed the accounts she transferred money to were mule accounts, with no legitimate employer behind the scheme. The Facebook page used by the scammers was created solely for the syndicate’s fraudulent operations.

The case is being probed under Section 420 of the Penal Code (Act 574), which criminalizes cheating by deception, punishable by up to 10 years in prison, caning, and fines if convicted. Mohammad Ali stated that the Telegram operators exploited the victim’s trust by demanding advance payments under false pretenses, a tactic common in online job scams targeting vulnerable individuals.

For Malaysia, this incident underscores the growing threat of digital fraud, particularly through social media and messaging platforms, where scammers increasingly use fake job offers to lure victims into financial traps. Authorities have previously warned of similar schemes, including pyramid schemes and fake recruitment drives, which disproportionately affect homemakers and low-income earners.

Police have yet to disclose whether arrests have been made, but Mohammad Ali urged the public to verify job offers through official channels and avoid sharing personal or financial details with unknown contacts. The case remains under investigation, with no further updates provided at this time.

Related: Mohammad Ali Mohd. Jali · Bagan Datuk