Kota bharu: Police have received 94 reports of triangulation fraud relating to the sales and purchase of online products as of Sept 15.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat stated that 75 reports involved buyers falling victim, while 19 involved sellers whose advertisements were used by criminals. A total of 66 investigation papers have been opened, with Tumpat recording the highest number of reports at 35, followed by Kota Bharu with 22.

A triangulation fraud occurs when criminals exploit the advertisement information of a legitimate seller and deceive the buyer by posing as the seller. "The buyer is then instructed to make payments according to the criminal, with the criminal taking the money while the buyer suffers losses and the real seller is dragged into an unknown transaction," Datuk Mohd Yusoff explained in a statement today. The products targeted in such frauds include motorcycles, cars, four-wheel drive vehicles, and mobile phones.

Investigations into these cases are ongoing, and the police chief advised the public to avoid making hasty payments, especially when offers appear unusually cheap. He also urged those who have been scammed to immediately contact the National Scam Response Centre at 997 and lodge a police report.