GEORGE TOWN: A homemaker who was desperate to have a foreign helper at home was conned of RM9,000 by a foreign maid agent.

       Pauline Ooi, 56, said she first paid RM10,000 to the agent to secure the services of a helper on Dec 14 last year.

       "I got to know her through a friend. I made two bank transactions, RM5,000 each online to her bank account on the same day.

       "But after two weeks, the foreign helper did not turn up as promised.

       "It was then I believed I have been duped after learning that foreign helpers still could not come in due to the border closure," she said when contacted.

       Ooi said she had been calling the agent for a refund, and had managed to recoup RM1,000.

       When she lodged a police report at the Tanjung Tokong police station on Jan 29, Ooi said a police officer told her that she was not the only victim.

       "I just hope others who are in need of domestic helpers will be more vigilant in their quest to get one," she said.

       George Town OCPD Asst Comm Soffian Santong confirmed receiving a police report, adding that the investigation is ongoing.