Scam terbaru di Penang – The Modus Operandi ! Our True Story.

Scene 1

We advertised our newly bought 3 storey shoplot @ SPS hot spot area for rental. Putting up a banner specifying two mobile # so that any interested parties could call us directly.

Response was reasonably good. We had serious callers who wanted to rent right from laundry business, car accessories shop, money transfer business, computer centre + those questionable one like turning the shop to Gambling Café or even a massage parlour etc. Good case study so to speak !

Scene 2

A guy claimed to be Nepalese called many times for an appointment to view the unit. He was mentioning on the phone they are involved in Money Transfer business and having more than 40 offices nation-wide. At first we were worried and do not wish to be involved in any money laundry activities or the like.

Met Mr Pradip of IME (M) Sdn Bhd, as stated on his business card where he agreed for the ground floor. He also asked for a discount. We visited one of his office in Prai just to verify and found they are genuine business people.

Next day he called again to confirm on the price. We insisted for the original offer claiming that it is the current market price and pressed him to confirm soonest possible as the Car Accessories Guy also pressing for the same unit.

Next minute, he confirmed again with deposit of 2+1+utility deposit wired to our a/c. This was fast than our expectation. The Car Accessories Guy left frustrated for not having the unit for his potential business. Deal # 1 is done with flying colours with TA signed by both parties within less than a week.

Scene 3

A guy by the name of Ramli called twice one evening asking he was interested to rent the 1st and 2nd floor for their contruction company. He viewed the unit over the weekend and claimed he had to present his case to his employer., a Datuk from Johor for approval on our offer.

Thing which was unusual : no business card was given at this stage by Encik Ramli

Two days later he called again for another appointment to finalise the plan. Met him in the evening with another guy known as Mansor. As we were rushing to fetch someone, asked him what company is he representing? At this stage, his business card was still not given to us. We left after meeting them less than 10 minutes.

Questionable request : Ramli asked to uplift the rental payment and pay the different to Mansor but not to disclose to his employer over this special arrangement.

By now, having 1st doubt and started to have bad impression over this guy – he could be just a runner for his employer and try to take advantage over the rental deal.

He asked as to whether we can meet his boss tomorrow (16/7) for the finalisation of the TA. We agreed but only during the first part of the day. To be exact, we need to attend for an urgent appointment in A,Setar later part in the afternoon the same day.

The same evening, Ramli called and set the meeting at Cititel Hotel in Gtown by 9am. He claimed his boss (known as a Datuk) was having tight schedule. Travelling from Langkawi/Penang/Singapore/China etc.


Scene 4

Received a call from Ramli but from a different Mobile # around 8.30am and asked me “dah bangkit tidur ke for the meeting?” very strange question from a guy whom you only knew less than a week.

Arrived at the hotel just before 9am. Ramli and Mansor sitting at the lobby area greeting us. Very surprised when Ramli was wearing proper office attire with neck tie together with a briefcase. He invited us for breakfast at the coffee house for the discussion and pulled us to a private area.


Scene 5

To be continued… meeting a Bogus Datuk together with his scam team…. Very interesting and not to be missed ! a lesson to all and beware of these conmen out there…