SIBU: A 52-year old man has been arrested for cheating his own friend of RM8,650 in a job scam.

       Acting Sibu OCPD Supt Dr Collin Babat said the victim, 51, was offered a job as a general manager in an oil palm estate in West Kalimantan, Indonesia, with a lucrative salary on Dec 29, 2020.

       "The suspect told the victim that the salary offered was RM28,000 a month at Agro Palm Plantation Ltd located in West Kalimantan, Indonesia," Supt Collin said on Wednesday (Jan 26).

       According to him, the complainant, who agreed to accept the job, transferred RM8,650 into two bank accounts as instructed by the suspect from June 26, 2020, to Sept 1, 2020.

       Collin explained that the payment was said to be for the purpose of processing work permit and visa applications for the victim.

       After a few days of making the payment, the victim had received a job offer letter through WhatsApp sent by the suspect.

       "However, the victim realised that he had been deceived after checking and found that the company did not exist and the telephone number could not be contacted," he said.

       Supt Collin added that following a police report made by the victim, the police managed to trace and arrest the suspect on Jan 7 in Daro.

       He said the suspect was finally arrested on Monday for the purpose of completing the investigation.

       The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code.