Kuala terengganu: A trader experienced a significant financial loss of RM25,280 after falling victim to an online scam involving the sale of Harumanis mangoes through a fraudulent quick response (QR) code.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Kuala Terengganu District Police Chief ACP Azli Mohd Noor reported that the 53-year-old trader filed a complaint at 7.41 pm yesterday after discovering that his bank account had been accessed without permission. The incident unfolded earlier in the day at approximately 4 pm when the trader, who was in Marang, noticed a Facebook advertisement for Harumanis mangoes and subsequently contacted the supposed seller.

The scammer then sent a link via WhatsApp, which included a QR code intended for payment. Upon scanning the code, the trader's mobile device became unresponsive for about 20 minutes.

Azli further stated that the trader later reached out to Maybank and learned of three unauthorized transactions totaling RM25,280, with individual amounts of RM8,264, RM8,642, and RM8,374. The police are currently investigating the matter under Section 420 of the Penal Code, which addresses cheating.