MELAKA: Police here have recorded an all-time high of cheating cases involving offers for employment through various online shopping platforms.State commercial crimes chief Supt E. Sundra Rajan said as of Monday, there were 48 reports on cheating cases this year.

       “The number of cases relating to scams is on the rise.

       “This is worrying as the victims are mostly those who desperately need a job,” he said yesterday.

       Supt Sundra said his officers had opened investigation papers on these cases with losses estimated at over RM700,000.

       He said the majority of the victims comprised students of higher learning, as well as young working adults.

       He said the scammers would advertise the job offers through social media, tempting interested individuals to click on the links given.

       “Initial investigations showed many of these victims fell prey due to retrenchment following the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said.

       He said the victims would then be asked by the syndicate members to make purchases through the e-commerce platforms and promised a commission of between 5% and 8%.

       “Once payments were made, the victims will no longer be able to reach out to them.

       “All the reports will be investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating,” he said.

       Supt Sundra said several officers had been instructed to create awareness on these scams through a local radio programme and other media platforms.