This 22-year-old student in Shah Alam thought he had it all figured out — the plan was to collect 120 1Malaysia Book Vouchers (BB1M) and trade them in for RM30,000 cash.
But it turns out that his plan was not to be.
According to a report by The Star Online’s Allison Lai, the polytechnic student had collected all his friends’ government-issued book vouchers in order to exchange them for cash with a broker identified only as Ah Chong.
The meeting had been set in Shah Alam at noon on April 2. However, just as the transaction was taking place, two men — reportedly wearing t-shirts with the word ‘Police’ — appeared, bearing handcuffs.
The ‘cops’ then informed the student that he had breached the law, and confiscated the vouchers. He was allowed to go home but it was only later in the day that he realised he was duped, The Star Online reports. He then made a police report.
Shah Alam OCPD Asst Comm Shafien Mamat was quoted as saying that undergraduates in the district have fallen victim to these scammers and so far, seven men, including a teenager, have been arrested for investigation.
“We believe this syndicate has been active since early this year. Its modus operandi is to offer cash for the vouchers, followed by a meeting at a location,” he was quoted as saying.
