KUALA LUMPUR: A Singaporean businessman was cheated of RM80,000 after falling victim to a local man who promised to procure him a Datuk title.
A source said the 52-year-old victim initially met the suspect, who claimed to hold a Datuk title, through a friend at a hotel in the city centre in early August last year.
"At their second meeting at the same hotel on Aug 14, 2025, the suspect offered to secure the Datuk title for the victim for RM300,000.
"The suspect then requested an RM80,000 deposit to initiate the process," the source said.
Believing the suspect's promises, the victim transferred about RM80,000 in cryptocurrency (USDT) to the suspect's digital wallet that same day.
The source said the victim became suspicious when the suspect repeatedly gave excuses whenever asked about the status of the purported award.
"The victim conducted a background check and discovered that the suspect's Datuk title was fake and that his name was not listed among recipients of Malaysian honours.
"The victim demanded a refund, but the suspect continued making excuses. The suspect has been unreachable since Jan 22, prompting the victim to lodge a police report," the source said.
Dang Wangi district police chief Assistant Commissioner Ahmad Azwan Amin Nordin confirmed when contacted that a report had been lodged.
He said the case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.
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