Kuala Terengganu trader duped by fake purchase order, loses RM175,000

KUALA TERENGGANU: A 50-year-old trader from this district lost more than RM175,000 after being duped into fulfilling a fake order for sports equipment and commemorative items that never existed.
The incident began when his adopted brother claimed to have received an order for sports equipment from a government office in Putrajaya, intended for a college in Setiu.
The trader agreed to help fulfil the order, scheduled for delivery on June 8, since his adopted brother lacked the funds to proceed.
District police chief Assistant Commissioner Azli Mohd Noor said a woman later contacted the trader claiming to represent the college, and placed additional orders for items such as dates, keris, and commemorative plaques.
"As his usual supplier couldn't provide these items, the suspect gave him a contact number for another supplier," Azli said.
The trader made payments in stages to several bank accounts provided by the new 'supplier'.
He only realised it was a scam after learning that neither the order nor the people he had dealt with were genuine.
The victim, who used both his personal savings and capital from a business partner, suffered losses amounting to RM175,452.80.
He lodged a police report yesterday.

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