JOHOR BARU: A simple credit card application turned Phoon Kin Fai’s life upside down after his personal details fell into the wrong hands.

The 41-year-old cook said he submitted his credit card application through a mobile app on May 8 and was later contacted by someone claiming to be a representative from the company.

“A person who claimed to be from the company sent me a message the next day, asking for my personal details, including my bank account number.

“Convinced that he was legitimately from the company, I provided the details thinking it was part of the process.

“It did not cross my mind that it could be a scam as it seemed too much of a coincidence for someone to know I was applying for a credit card from that particular company just a day later,” he said, adding that the person also used the company’s logo as his profile photo.

Phoon said this at a press conference arranged by Johor MCA Youth public services and complaints bureau chief Henry Mok at the Southern Johor Chinese Media Clubhouse here yesterday.

He added that a few hours after the first exchange, the scammer deposited RM600 into his bank account.

“He claimed the money was a loan I had requested. I was shocked as I had never asked for such a loan.

“He then demanded that I pay back RM1,200, including interest and service charges, by May 12, which was just five days later.

“I paid him RM600 the next day but refused to give any more,” he said, adding that he lodged a police report at the Nusa Bestari police station on the same day.

Phoon said he later blocked the scammer’s number and several others linked to the individual, following police advice.

“They threatened to burn my house down and go after my family, including my elderly parents.

“They even sent videos of other houses they claimed to have been attacked, saying that the same would happen to me if I were to refuse to pay. After failing to reach me, they contacted my wife and continued the harassment.

“They accurately described my house and the car parked outside. It is terrifying, especially since my wife and our young children are at home,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mok said he would be sending a letter to the company Phoon had first applied for the credit card to find out more.

“I will also engage with the police as I have been seeing a rise in scam cases, including those involving loan sharks, in the last few months.

“I receive no fewer than 10 such cases each month, and sometimes two to three cases in a single day,” he said, urging the government to impose heavier penalties for such crimes.

When contacted, Iskandar Puteri OCPD Asst Comm M. Kumarasan confirmed that they received a report and the case was being investigated.