Kemaman: A company director lost RM137,200 after falling victim to a syndicate offering a fictitious government tender. Kemaman police chief Supt Mohd Razi Rosli reported that the 52-year-old man was contacted via WhatsApp on May 13 by an individual posing as a representative of a public university in Kelantan. The fraudster offered a tender to supply 20 air-conditioning units and a power generator.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, to gain the victim’s trust, the suspect sent four purchase orders allegedly issued by the secretary-general of the Higher Education Ministry. These documents were accompanied by contact details of a supposed supplier. Trusting the authenticity of the offer, the victim made seven bank transfers to an account under the name Gertrude Chee over a five-day period starting May 27. It was only later that he discovered the tender was a scam.

The case is currently under investigation under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating. Police are urging the public to verify any tender offers with the relevant authorities before proceeding with financial transactions.