Scams are as common as cockroaches nowadays, although most aren’t so in-your-face about it. Unfortunately, these tourists from China were recently rudely accosted at a phone store and were almost forced into spending RM1632 for a 24-month prepaid SIM card.
A particular mobile phone and telecommunications store is at it again. After trying to scam a college student last year, they recently targeted two tourists from China. However, this time, they allegedly threatened to use force if the tourists didn’t agree to their ‘deal’.
Bukit Bintang Hawkers and Petty Traders Association chairperson See Foo Hoong (薛富丰) told China Press he received a call from a friend five days ago, asking for help. Apparently, two tourists from China were being threatened at a mobile phone and telecommunications store at Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock.
These two tourists were allegedly visiting Malaysia for a week and had wanted to buy a prepaid SIM card for their stay here on their second day. Since they were already at Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock, the two decided to stop at the nearby store. Initially, the staff was nice to them, offering them a card worth RM68 and asking if they wanted internet access to make calls to China.
They obligingly passed their passports over to register for the prepaid cards. However, when they stated they did want data access on their SIM cards, the staff suddenly claimed they needed to get a different package lasting 24 months worth RM1632 per person. The abrupt change in the package made the duo suspicious, especially since they would only be in Malaysia for a short time.
Once he saw that they were unwilling to sign the package, the staff’s attitude allegedly changed. He argued with the tourists for over an hour, which is why the tourists eventually contacted their friend, who reached out to Foo Hoong. “I was told that one of the staff in the store was threatening (to close) the shutters (on) the tourists. He said they could not leave without paying and would use force to solve the issue,” Foo Hoong recalled.
He immediately went to the store after contacting the police and found the tourists and staff still arguing when he arrived. The staff reportedly became more polite once the police arrived and returned the tourists’ passports before letting them leave with Foo Hong. The trio then went to the police station to report the issue.
But, they later discovered that the staff had activated the SIM cards on their mobile phones before removing the cards and returning the phones to them. As such they were concerned that, if not terminated, the phone numbers of the SIM cards could be abused, even after the two tourists returned to China.
Reportedly, this is the same store that attempted to charge a college student RM2124 to apply for a RM25 phone screen last year. Another tourist claimed she ended up buying a RM1600 prepaid card from the store despite only intending to get a RM68 card.
According to See Foo Hoong’s sources, they alleged that the store has always treated their customers like this. Their practices incensed him and he claims he will be pursuing inquiries as to why the store is still operating despite their notoriety. “Kuala Lumpur is a tourists gather, and repeated incidents of defrauding tourists will leave a negative impression of KL,” he said.
It’s certainly concerning to hear such businesses taking advantage of people. We sincerely hope relevant authorities will look into the matter and take necessary actions to prevent more folks from being scammed.
Source: China Press
