Identity theft victims dragged into serious trouble with the authorities

October 20,2011, KUALA LUMPUR : A 25-year-old gave his MyKad to his boss on his first day of work. Now, he is facing 85 police reports for cheating involving RM180,000 worth of IT goods.

Woon Kian Fatt's ex-boss had used his personal information to cheat customers through an online shopping website.

Woon said he was shocked when a man appeared on his doorstep on Oct 9, demanding the return of goods that he (Woon) supposedly ordered from him.

“The man came with a copy of a MyKad that had my personal details but a different picture and told me that he got my address from the website,” Woon said during a press conference organised by MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head Datuk Michael Chong at Wisma MCA yesterday.

He recognised the man in the picture right away as his former employer who sacked him after he had worked as a despatch staff for barely three weeks.

The company was involved in selling IT goods on a local website.

Woon said he sensed something amiss after receiving a call from his ex-boss who asked him to lodge a police report that his MyKad was missing to ensure he would not be entangled in the company's problems.

Woon decided not to do so.

Instead, he lodged a police report on Oct 6.

“I am unable to secure a job now as employers would be afraid they will be dragged into this,” he said, adding that he wanted to clear his name.

Another victim of identity theft, Thiang Choon Hui, 32, said he did not think much when he received a call from a man alleging he was involved in a pirated DVD and CD business.

The man said he could help him settle the case but Thiang decided to ignore him.

The insurance agent's world came crashing down when he received a letter from the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Kuala Kubu Baru office about his involvement in the illegal business.

“When I checked with the Companies Commission of Malaysia, I found out that my name had been used to register a VCD, CD and DVD business which has four branches in Seri Kembangan and Puchong,” he said.

He said the commission should not have approved the registration without any supporting documents and a valid signature.

Chong said he had received 59 reports involving identity theft since last year, with victims facing bills amounting to more than RM4mil.

“In most cases, the culprits will use the MyKad details to apply for credit cards, loans and to register businesses and mobile lines,” he said.

(RESOURCES: Thestar.com.my)