Jolene Robin, a caterer, was thrilled when she got an order for 150 lunches and drinks for three days in a row. Unbeknownst to her, she would be tricked out of many thousand ringgit, the currency of Malaysia.
"I am sharing this so that people are aware and will not fall for this scam," Robin said.
Bogus Order of 150 Lunch Sets
According to The Straits Times, the 43-year-old Sabah resident said the offer had been passed on to her by a friend who had received it from someone posing as an army commander around a week earlier.
She reached out to them since she was interested in getting more information. She sought a deposit from the guy when he stated he wanted 150 lunch sets for the new recruits in the territorial forces.
Robin, however, was familiar with government directives and understood that when they were received, she would need to file a claim for reimbursement. So, when the customer mentioned he could not pay a deposit, Robin did not think twice.
The client requested a price quote and promised payment in cash upon delivery.
Robin reported receiving a call on the scheduled delivery date of May 30 from a guy who indicated he worked in the same office. The man contacted Robin and inquired if she could provide them with 20 pieces of packet drinks and 20 ready-to-eat meal kits.
Robin claims that three distinct persons from three different phone numbers spoke to her throughout the procedure. "I told them I did not know any supplier for such meals. The man referred me to a supplier, but I did not proceed with the order because I did not have enough money to pay first," she stated.
Eventually, Robin began to have doubts about the legitimacy of the transaction. Apparently, her clients were unreachable in the late hours when it was time to pick up the dinner trays. "When I checked my phone, I saw their messages on WhatsApp had all been deleted. They also blocked me."
Later, she advertised on social media that her food and drink stand would be located on the Kadazandusun Cultural Association premises, where the Kaamatan Festival was being held.
Robin said each lunch pack was sold for only RM5 ($1.50). She counts herself fortunate that all 150 sets were purchased.
Identity Theft Scam
An army guy stationed in Kuala Lumpur reportedly came forward after her account went viral to tell her that the fraudsters were stealing his identity. He has filed a complaint with the police to set the record straight.
The Commercial Crimes Investigation Department in the district has reportedly received many complaints about the situation and is now looking into it, as reported by The Star.
