19 October 2007

KLANG: About a month ago, housewife Wai Kam bought a toaster and thought nothing of it. 

But it proved to be the start of all her troubles. 

A confidence trickster in Hong Kong, who got hold of her details in the guarantee card she had filled out for the electrical appliance, called to inform her that she had won RM90,909 as the second-prize winner in a lucky draw. 

The housewife agreed to bank in RM4,820 at a local bank in Bandar Baru Klang as deposit to secure her winnings. 

Wai Kam, 60, broke the news to her mechanic son, 24, who agreed to pay her half the deposit amount to share the prize money. The deposit was transferred to a Hong Kong account.  

“Within an hour after sending the money, the woman called from Hong Kong to say that she wanted to return RM200 as she had overcharged me.  

“Later, I was asked to bank in RM6,800 but I was doubtful this time. I realised that I was being fleeced,” she said at a press conference called by Selangor DAP vice-chairman Peter Tan here on Thursday.