Face Mask Scams Record Losses of More Than US$586,477 In Malaysia’s Kuala Lumpur

KUALA LUMPUR, June 3 (Bernama) -- A total of 87 fraud cases related to the sale of face masks have been recorded in the capital involving losses of US$586,477 (RM2.5 million, US$1 = RM4.26) since January. Kuala Lumpur police chief Mazlan Lazim said throughout that period, the police made 41 arrests and 24 of them were charged in court. “One of the reasons for this rampant scams involving the item is because it is in high demand following the COVID-19 outbreak,” he said in a statement, Wednesday. He advised the public to be vigilant, and not be deceived by advertisements and offers of face masks on social media as well as on online shopping sites. “Checks can be made on the validity of sellers’ bank accounts at http://ccid.rmp.gov.my/semakmule/ and online sellers’ status at http://biztrust.ssm.com.my before making any transactions,” he said. -- BERNAMA