More people have fallen victims to Internet scams in Kedah, with 20 cases last year involving losses of RM231,490 compared to six cases in 2009 with losses of RM103,612, police said.
Of the cases last year, 15 of the victims were women, state commercial crime investigation chief Supt Nasbah Jusoh said.
The youngest among of the victims was a 19-year-old, he said.
He said scammers plied their trade in the cyberspace, including through social media website, Facebook, promising gifts and packages containing cash and jewellery.
“The victims would then be told that the items have arrived at the airport but when they come to collect the items, the tricksters’ local accomplices would contact them, posing as customs officers, and told them to deposit money to before they could claim the package,” he said.
They only realised that they had been cheated when the items did not reach them after sometime, he said.
Most of the victims were gullible enough to believe the scams, he added.
“Last week, a teacher from Kuala Muda became a victim to the syndicate and suffered losses of RM7,000,” he said.
Police arrested a man and four women people last year for Internet fraud, comprising three foreigners and two locals.
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