RP embassy warns of 'customs scam'

MANILA, Philippines -  The Philippine embassy in Malaysia yesterday warned Filipinos, particularly those working and residing in other Southeast Asian countries, of a “customs scam” after a Filipina fell victim to it.

The scam, usually targeting women holding stable jobs in reputable companies, involve promises of securing a valuable package in exchange for remitting money to the perpetrators.

The embassy said a Filipina construction project secretary in Brunei met a certain British national named Hans Owen through the Internet. Owen later became her fiancé – apparently even without having met her in person – and allegedly sent her a “valuable package” that purportedly required customs clearance during a stopover in Malaysia.

Owen convinced the Filipina to remit $9,200 through Western Union to a certain Nasir Eric, allegedly a resident of Bandar Baru in the Kuala Lumpur suburb of Ampang. She sent the money in two tranches, on June 17 and 18. She also reportedly sent £780 to Owen on June 25.

No package arrived and the Filipina has not heard from either man or recovered her money.

The embassy reported the case to the Interpol section of the Malaysian police and is monitoring the case.

Meanwhile, news reports in Kuala Lumpur state that a group of four Nigerians and two Malaysians reportedly involved in the same scam were arrested after a senior executive in a private firm in Penang state reported them.

The woman executive said she responded to an e-mail message that she can secure a valuable package if she assisted the Nigerians in settling some tax payments and other formalities before the customs department can clear the goods. She later complained to the police that she lost 30,000 Malaysian ringgit ($9,375) to the syndicate.

Police arrested the four Nigerians, who are holders of Malaysian student visas. The two Malaysians arrested with them were “dummies” used to open local bank accounts to facilitate the scam.

The Malaysian police is investigating the group’s possible links to other syndicates operating in the country.