MELAKA: Melaka police have received a high number of reports on cheating cases involving employment “offers” through various online shopping platforms.

       State Commercial Crime chief Supt E. Sundra Rajan said since the beginning of this year until Monday (Aug 16), a total of 48 reports of such scams had been received.

       "The number of cases relating to such scams is considered high and has raised concerns as the victims are mostly those who are desperately looking for a job," he said on Wednesday (Aug 18).

       Supt Sundra said his officers had opened investigation papers on the cases, which involved total losses of over RM700,000.

       He said the majority of the victims comprised tertiary students as well as young working adults.

       Supt Sundra said the scammers would advertise the “jobs" through social media whereby interested individuals would be asked to click on the links provided.

       Initial investigations revealed that many victims fell prey to such scams due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which has led to many people losing their jobs.

       He said the victims, who were interested in the job offers, would then be asked by the syndicate to make purchases through the e-commerce platforms, and promised commission of between five and eight per cent.

       "Once payments were made, the victims would no longer be entertained by the scammers.

       "All the reports will be probed under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating," he said.

       Supt Sundra added that several designated officers will be assigned to create awareness of the scam from Thursday (Aug 19) by going on the air during a local radio programme and later through various media platforms.