KOTA KINABALU: Police have opened three investigation papers into fraudulent Mount Kinabalu climbing packages which have so far seen losses of RM65,010 since January.
District police chief Assistant Commissioner Kasim Muda said investigations are under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.
He said the modus operandi involved agents promoting climbing packages through social media platforms.
“Victims were told to make full payments upon booking, but the agents failed to register their names with Sabah Parks, which manages the mountain’s climbing activities.
“The victims only found out that they had been duped when they turned up on the scheduled climbing dates and discovered their names were not on the official list,” he said in a statement.
Kasim said police have arrested a woman who acted as an agent and she has been charged in court for fraud.
He reminded the public to be cautious when dealing with online agents offering climbing packages and advised them to make arrangements only through licensed travel agents or Sabah Parks.
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