4 October 2007

PUTRAJAYA: It was game over for two direct selling companies that allegedly drew consumers to their “scratch and win” scams. 

A total of RM50,450 worth of goods were seized from the companies in Cheras and Kajang on Tuesday, following complaints by consumers that they had been fleeced by the companies.

The goods seized by Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry enforcement officers included sewing machines, water purifiers, microcomputer stoves, vacuum cleaners and home theatre headphones. 

Other items were a motorcycle, slimming belts, massage chairs and foot massagers. 

Representatives of such companies usually approach prospective “winners” at their homes, shopping outlets and highway rest areas, offering them to scratch pieces of well-designed papers that depict the kind of gifts they could own. 

However, the catch is they would have to first agree to put up a certain amount for the gifts. 

The sum paid is usually higher than the cost of the goods that await the winners. 

The ministry’s direct selling unit director, Ahmad Md Isa, said that in the recent cases in Cheras and Kajang, the complainants alleged they were asked to pay about RM7,000 to see their gifts. 

Ahmad said that despite the many cases of people being cheated by such “scratch and win” scams over the years, there were still many victims.