SIBU, Dec 27: A woman from Sibu recently lost nearly RM9,000 to a corset scam, highlighting the dangers of deceptive direct sales tactics.
The scam began with a social media post by a local influencer promoting a “free trial” for a corset that promised miraculous results. Intrigued by the offer, the victim agreed to a trial arranged by the influencer and a sales agent.
According to Lucas Lau, chairman of the Majlis Tindakan Pengguna Negara (MTPN) Sibu Branch, the woman tried the corset during an appointment but was then pressured into purchasing it without being informed of the price. The shock came when she received an invoice amounting to nearly RM9,000 on the same day.
“The victim felt deceived and filed a complaint with us on December 13. We assisted her in lodging an official complaint with the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) via e-KPDN on December 24,” Lau stated during a press conference.
MTPN has since submitted the sales invoice and other evidence to authorities for further action. Lau also emphasised the importance of consumer awareness and urged the public to understand their rights under the Direct Sales and Anti-Pyramid Scheme Act 1993 (Act 500).
“Consumers should always verify product prices and refuse any unfair sales tactics. They are entitled to products and services at competitive prices with guaranteed quality,” he said.
MTPN encourages victims of similar scams to report incidents promptly to ensure swift action against unethical practices.
This case serves as a reminder to always approach promotional offers with caution and remain vigilant against misleading advertisements.
