KUCHING, 9 June 2026 — A new wave of concern has emerged among Malaysian consumers after reports surfaced of a suspected scam involving so-called “free inspection” home repair services that later resulted in unexpectedly high charges. The case has drawn attention from the Sarawak Consumer Association (PPS), which is urging authorities to investigate possible coordinated activity across multiple states.
According to a complaint received by PPS, a woman in Kuching responded to a Facebook advertisement offering free inspection services for water leakage problems in her home. Two foreign workers arrived at her residence on 26 May 2026 and conducted a brief assessment under the kitchen sink area. Without any detailed diagnostic tools or written quotation, they immediately concluded that the issue required urgent waterproofing work.
The complainant stated that she repeatedly asked for a clear breakdown of the repair method and material usage, but was not given any proper explanation. Despite her uncertainty, she agreed to proceed after being assured that the problem would be fixed. She was later charged RM3,000, with the payment transferred to a personal bank account rather than a registered company.
However, the problem persisted shortly after the repair work was completed. When the complainant contacted the individuals again, she was told they would return the next day, but they never came back and later became unreachable. Their Facebook account was also found to be blocked or removed.
PPS revealed that similar complaints have been reported in Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah, suggesting a repeating pattern. These cases typically involve Facebook advertisements offering free inspections, followed by on-the-spot identification of multiple home defects such as leaks, hollow tiles, and waterproofing issues. Homeowners are then pressured into paying high repair costs without formal quotations.
PPS President Dr. Wynson Ong Teck Ping stated that while each case must be examined individually, the repeated pattern raises serious concerns. He noted that such operations often involve newly created online accounts with limited background information and no clear company registration details.
He stressed that PPS is not opposing foreign workers legally employed in Malaysia but urged authorities to investigate if individuals are using improper permits to conduct commercial activities. PPS has called on the Royal Malaysia Police and Immigration Department to verify identities, work status, and business legitimacy of those involved.
The association also advised the public, especially vulnerable groups such as senior citizens and homemakers, to be extremely cautious when allowing unknown contractors into their homes. Consumers are encouraged to always request written quotations and verify company credentials before agreeing to any repair work.
PPS warned that beyond financial loss, such incidents may also pose risks to household safety and privacy if left unchecked.
