Man cheated out of more than RM3mil by childhood friend
Tuesday, 21 May 20195:34 PM MYT
by allison lai
KUALA LUMPUR: A 26-year-old man was cheated out of more than RM3mil over promises of honorary titles and police affiliations by a childhood friend.
Tan Yong Sheng from Sabak Bernam, Selangor, said his friend asked him to join the "Kelab Bekas Polis Selangor" –which is non-existent – to enjoy "VIP" perks.
"We met back in our hometown two years ago and he seem to be doing quite well as a businessman in China.
"He told me I would get car emblems and certificates enabling me to enjoy VIP benefits, which would be good for my business," said Tan, whose family has a coconut distribution business.
He also paid another RM2mil to the man to start up a logistics company, as well as for more VIP membership registrations for several other associations and miscellaneous fees.
In return, Tan received club membership certificates and permit to display the club's logo on his car, several emblems and car stickers bearing the club's logo with "VVIP" and "Ahli Kehormat" (honoured member) wording.
Tan also said he borrowed more than RM1mil from loan sharks after his father found out about the cheques and stopped his company cheque book last month.
"When I could no longer pay him for all the membership renewals, he said he would settle for me first and wanted me to sign a friendly loan agreement with him," he said, adding that he signed three agreements with the man amounting to RM2.69mil.
Tan said he only noticed something was amiss when he asked his friend about their company's progress.
"He coaxed me to sign another loan agreement to speed things up.
"When I refused, he started threatening me and harassing my family and girlfriend.
"He defamed me as a conman on Facebook by posting my MyKad details. He also sent a legal letter demanding me to pay up for the agreement I had signed earlier," said Tan, who lodged a police report on Monday (May 20).
Accompanied by his parents and girlfriend at a press conference held at Wisma MCA here Tuesday (May 21), Tan said he regretted his naivety.
"I am especially sorry to my parents, who have to repay the loan sharks on my behalf now.
"I should not have simply trusted anyone lightly," he said.
MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head Datuk Seri Michael Chong said that he still receives cases of people paying for unrecognised titles.
"We even get such complaints from Chinese businessmen here. They were required to pay between RM60,000 to RM100,000 for fake titles," he said, adding that it is an offence to use fake titles and many people are still not aware of it.
Department legal advisor Datuk Theng Book said MCA is helping Tan and liasing with the police, who are hunting for the man.
Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2019/05/21/man-cheated-out-of-more-than-rm3mil-by-childhood-friend/#5c0lH8KyfA5h4FHE.99
