SIBU: A car accessories shop owner here narrowly avoided falling victim to a fake tender scam worth RM150,000 after receiving a suspicious offer allegedly from a government representative.
According to Lucas Lau, the Chairman of the Sibu Branch of the National Consumer Action Council (MTPN), a person approached the shop owner, claiming to represent the government.
The impersonator contacted the shop owner to request specific vehicle accessories, including a hard-to-source brand.
“When the shop owner informed the individual that the requested item was unavailable, the impersonator attempted to gain their trust by issuing a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) for a tender valued at RM150,000. This letter was sent via WhatsApp,” he said in a statement today (Jan 24).
He added that the scammer directed the shop owner to purchase the required items from a designated contact number.
Suspicious of the tender’s legitimacy, the shop owner sought advice from MTPN’s Sibu branch.
“Upon investigation, we discovered that the tender was fake. The format of the offer letter and the YB’s signature were also fraudulent, part of a tactic aimed at deceiving the complainant,” Lau added.
In light of this incident, MTPN is warning the public, especially business owners, to exercise caution when dealing with unsolicited tender offers, phone calls, or text messages.
“We urge everyone to verify the authenticity of any tender, advertisement, or quotation directly with the relevant government department or ministry. Avoid making rash decisions or being blinded by the high value of offers,” Lau said.
He emphasised that legitimate tenders follow strict procedures and are never issued arbitrarily through text messages or phone calls.
