A fake government tender email sent to a Kuching construction office led to four transfers totalling RM161,400 before the recipient discovered that official names and a council stamp had been misused. Police said the 62-year-old contractor received the Aug 11 email at his Bintawa Industrial Estate office. It purported to seek Anker Solix F3800 portable power stations for the National Solid Waste Management Department’s Sri Aman branch, then directed him to a supposed supplier. He transferred money to two bank accounts between Aug 11 and 19. The victim checked directly with the department only after the payments. Police are investigating under Section 420 of the Penal Code; the reports did not say that anyone had been charged. For an online tender, obtain the purchasing agency’s contact details independently and verify the bank account before paying. Suspect phone numbers and accounts can be checked through PDRM’s Semak Mule service. Anyone who has just transferred money in an online scam should contact their bank and the National Scam Response Centre at 997 immediately.

A 22-year-old Kuching man has been fined RM10,000 after his bank account was used to receive scam money. The Magistrates' Court fined Dominic Unya Dunggat RM10,000, or three months' jail in default, after he pleaded guilty under Section 424C(1) of the Penal Code. The court heard that a victim transferred RM10,000 in three payments after receiving a WhatsApp call from someone claiming to be a relative from China who asked for a loan. Investigators later found that Dominic had handed his bank card to a longtime friend. The three transfers, made on July 25, 2025, were RM4,950, RM4,950 and RM100. The safest response is to stop, verify through an independent number and keep the evidence. Do not lend out a bank account or move money to a so-called safe account.

A Kuching man lost RM104,310 after a scammer pretended to be his friend on WhatsApp. The 49-year-old received a message on Aug 13 asking him to make an advance payment for goods. Thinking it was genuine, he made four transfers to three bank accounts between Aug 13 and Aug 15. His real friend later said the WhatsApp account had been hacked and had never asked him for the money. Kuching district police chief ACP Alexson Naga Chabu said the case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code. A conviction carries one to 10 years in jail, whipping and a possible fine. Police advise the public to end suspicious calls, avoid sharing banking information, and verify account and phone numbers through the Royal Malaysia Police’s Semak Mule portal before making payments. A message that appears to come from a friend still needs a separate check. Call the saved number or another mutual contact before transferring anything, and use Semak Mule when a bank account is provided. Anyone who has already paid should contact the bank and 997 immediately rather than waiting for the recipient to reply.