Kuala terengganu: A woman trader in Terengganu lost RM48,300 after falling victim to an e-commerce scam via the WhatsApp application. Kuala Terengganu district police chief ACP Azli Mohd Noor reported that on March 3, the 59-year-old victim received a WhatsApp message from a suspect posing as an officer from the Kuala Terengganu Department of Environment.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the suspect claimed to be interested in purchasing 50 pieces of 'kain pasang' from the victim and requested additional supplies of 'bakul senandung' gift sets and keris souvenirs for a breaking-of-fast event. The suspect, however, insisted that the victim conduct all transactions with a supplier designated by him.

The victim, deceived by the suspect's instructions, proceeded to make transactions with the suspect's associate via WhatsApp. She made three payments amounting to RM48,300 to an account provided by the suspect on March 9. Despite completing the payments, the ordered items were not delivered, leading the victim to realize she had been scammed.

The victim filed a police report at 7.06 pm yesterday after her attempts to contact both suspects were unsuccessful. The police have initiated an investigation under Section 420 of the Penal Code, which deals with cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property.