15-10-2024 (KUALA LUMPUR) A Chinese company has fallen victim to an elaborate scam involving the purported import of frozen Musang King durians from Malaysia, resulting in a staggering loss of approximately RM2.6 million (S$790,856). The incident has sparked concerns about the vulnerability of international trade to sophisticated fraud schemes.
Johor police chief Commissioner Datuk M. Kumar confirmed that a formal complaint has been lodged by the manager of the affected company, a Chinese national. The case highlights the growing complexity of cross-border scams and the need for heightened vigilance in international business transactions.
According to Kumar, the perpetrator, also a Chinese national, allegedly enticed the victim’s company with an Approved Permit (AP) for importing frozen Musang King durians from Malaysia to China. The AP was supposedly held by a fruit import-export company with a Malaysian address, lending an air of legitimacy to the deal.
The victim’s company, having met with the suspect in China, agreed to purchase 3,840 cartons of frozen Musang King durians, valued at 4.3 million yuan (RM2.6 million). On July 5, following the suspect’s instructions, the company transferred the full amount to a Malaysian bank account. Crucially, this account belonged to a different entity from the one purportedly holding the AP.
The suspect had promised delivery of the durians within a month of payment. However, as Commissioner Kumar explained, “To this day, the company has not received the shipment as promised, and the suspect could not be contacted.” This radio silence raised alarms, prompting the victim to investigate further.
In an attempt to unravel the mystery, the complainant enlisted a friend in Malaysia to locate the company supposedly holding the AP. To their dismay, this company denied any involvement in the deal, confirming the fraudulent nature of the transaction.
The case is now under investigation for offences under Sections 411 and 420 of the Penal Code, pertaining to dishonestly receiving stolen property and cheating, respectively.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with international trade, particularly when dealing with unfamiliar parties. Commissioner Kumar has urged the public to exercise caution in their business dealings, emphasising the importance of thorough background checks.
“Individuals should verify the credentials of both the person and the company they are dealing with through official channels such as the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry before engaging in financial transactions,” Kumar advised. He added that this due diligence could significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to scams.
For those who find themselves victims of such frauds, Kumar recommends immediately contacting the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) at 997. This prompt action can potentially lead to the freezing of the suspect’s account, increasing the chances of recovering lost funds.
