Cops probe 24 reports of South Korea travel package scam

KUALA LUMPUR: Police are investigating 24 reports from people claiming to have been cheated out of RM454,450 in travel packages to South Korea, allegedly operated by an influencer and an entrepreneur.

Bukit Aman commercial crime investigation department director Ramli Yoosuf said investigations are being conducted under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.

He said some cases have also been referred to the Consumer Claims Tribunal under the domestic trade and cost of living ministry for action under the Consumer Protection Act 1999.

A video has gone viral on social media since Monday in which a woman claimed to have been scammed by a Malaysian influencer and an entrepreneur operating a travel agency in South Korea.

In the video, the woman said she and her group were “stranded” at the airport due to missing return flight tickets to Malaysia, which had been promised by the entrepreneur.

She was later told there had been “technical problems” with issuing the tickets.

In a statement today, Ramli urged victims to lodge police reports.

He advised the public to verify the registration of travel agencies on the tourism, arts and culture ministry’s official portal.

“This simple step is crucial to avoid falling victim to travel package scams offered by unregistered companies,” he said.