WeChat tricksters duped RM15,000 from lonely men
NEW STRAITS TIME
NEW STRAITS TIME
SHAH ALAM: They targeted lonely men looking for companionship. However, their ultimate aim wasn’t love, but cash.
Using WeChat, the two men and a woman would lure out men to meet up on dates, before extorting the victims for thousands of ringgit.
Their scheme came to an end when police arrested the trio last week. By then, they had raked in around RM15,000 in total from their victims.
Shah Alam district police chief ACP Shafien Mamat said the trio’s modus operandi was a simple one.
They would use WeChat by sending flirtatious messages to random men. The men who respond would be lured even further, with promises for a meet-up.
“These dates would more often than not be at a restaurant. The female suspect would entertain the target at these romantic meetings.
“However, usually on the third date with the guy, the woman’s ‘husband and brother-in-law’ would show up unannounced, supposedly shocked at what was going on.
“They would then demand money from the bewildered man, whom more often than not would pay up to avoid any trouble,” said Shafien.
The sum demanded usually amounted to at least RM3,000.
The suspects, aged between 26 and 29, are believed to have fleeced no less than four men using the tactic over the last three months.
Police, acting on four reports, eventually nabbed the suspects at a restaurant in Section 32, on June 7, at 9.30pm while they were trying to con their latest victim, a 27-year-old man.
“We believe that these conmen had tricked even more people. We urge those who have been duped by them to come forward and assist our investigation,” said Shafien.
Shafien advised social media users to be wary when responding to strangers on apps or to spam messages.
The suspects are being remanded until Wednesday. The case is being investigated under Section 384 of the Penal Code for extortion.
Using WeChat, the two men and a woman would lure out men to meet up on dates, before extorting the victims for thousands of ringgit.
Their scheme came to an end when police arrested the trio last week. By then, they had raked in around RM15,000 in total from their victims.
Shah Alam district police chief ACP Shafien Mamat said the trio’s modus operandi was a simple one.
They would use WeChat by sending flirtatious messages to random men. The men who respond would be lured even further, with promises for a meet-up.
“These dates would more often than not be at a restaurant. The female suspect would entertain the target at these romantic meetings.
“However, usually on the third date with the guy, the woman’s ‘husband and brother-in-law’ would show up unannounced, supposedly shocked at what was going on.
“They would then demand money from the bewildered man, whom more often than not would pay up to avoid any trouble,” said Shafien.
The sum demanded usually amounted to at least RM3,000.
The suspects, aged between 26 and 29, are believed to have fleeced no less than four men using the tactic over the last three months.
Police, acting on four reports, eventually nabbed the suspects at a restaurant in Section 32, on June 7, at 9.30pm while they were trying to con their latest victim, a 27-year-old man.
“We believe that these conmen had tricked even more people. We urge those who have been duped by them to come forward and assist our investigation,” said Shafien.
Shafien advised social media users to be wary when responding to strangers on apps or to spam messages.
The suspects are being remanded until Wednesday. The case is being investigated under Section 384 of the Penal Code for extortion.
