What new phone scam tactic targets TNB bill payments?

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A New Phone Scam Offers Discounts on TNB Bill Payments

A novel phone scam has emerged, targeting Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) bill payments by offering substantial discounts. This tactic involves scammers persuading individuals to act as intermediaries, collecting payments from other customers for their electricity bills with the promise of a percentage of the savings. The scam came to light when an accountant was defrauded of RM164,903 after facilitating payments for 120 customers.
Deceptive Discount Offer

The scam begins with a phone call from an individual offering a 35% discount on TNB bill payments. To avail this discount, the potential victim is instructed to find other customers willing to have their electricity bills paid through the scammer. The scammer then allegedly provides fake payment receipts to the intermediary, creating the illusion that the bills have been settled with TNB.
Accountant Defrauded of Significant Sum

In a specific instance, a 62-year-old accountant was enticed by the offer and subsequently approached 120 customers, promising them a 10% discount if they paid their electricity bills through him. Between July 8 and August 27, the accountant collected approximately RM207,000 from these customers. After deducting the promised discount, he transferred RM164,903 in 11 separate transactions to five bank accounts provided by the scammer.
Discovery and Investigation

The fraudulent scheme was exposed when one of the customers, upon checking with TNB, discovered that their electricity bill had not been paid. The accountant realised he had been duped when he lost contact with the scammer. This case is currently under investigation by the authorities, falling under Section 420 of the Penal Code, which deals with cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property. Police have cautioned the public against believing such fictitious offers related to TNB bill payments.

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What new phone scam tactic targets TNB bill payments?

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