ONLINE PACKAGED COOKING OIL SCAMS STILL PREVALENT, SAYS KPDN

PUTRAJAYA, July 3 (Bernama) — Packaged cooking oil sales scams continue to persist online through social media and e-commerce platforms, says the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN).

In a statement today, KPDN director-general Datuk Azman Adam said that the modus operandi of these scams involves deceiving victims by offering packaged cooking oil at cheaper than market prices.

The scammers are believed to lure victims through misleading advertisements on social media and e-commerce platforms, taking advantage of the high demand for the product, he said.  

Azman added that the ministry also collaborates with domestic e-commerce platforms to tackle the problem more effectively. 

"As a result, 225 advertisements related to the online sale of scheduled controlled items, specifically cooking oil, have been successfully taken down from July 4, 2022, to June 30 this year," he highlighted. 

Meanwhile, he noted that enforcement statistics from July 4, 2022, to June 30 this year showed that 71 physical inspections were conducted nationwide, with 14 related complaints received during the same period.

"Out of these, five cases under the Control of Supplies Act 1961 (Act 122) were investigated involving offenders engaged in illegal online sales of cooking oil, resulting in RM1,796.10 worth of seizures.

"The offences included trading scheduled controlled cooking oil without a valid license, storing cooking oil in unauthorised locations, and failing to maintain stock records of controlled items," he elaborated. 

He emphasised that KPDN will not compromise with anyone found misappropriating controlled and subsidised goods.

Such violations can be prosecuted under the Control of Supplies Act 1961 (Act 122), while related companies can also be investigated under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing, and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.

He also advised consumers to be vigilant when encountering advertisements offering cheap packaged cooking oil, especially online, to avoid being deceived by irresponsible parties.

— BERNAMA