Saturday, July 02, 2011

Iphone scam!

I'm so sad to announce, yes, my iphone got stolen by a swindler today. This old man who known himself as Edwin Khoo (probably fake name), around 50+ years old, about 5' 10" tall, chinese, formal wear, hand carrying a pouch, can speak in fluent english and he's also with a partner, a lady who claimed herself as Edwin's wife, speak in fluent english too (I never met her, only spoke to her through phone call conversation).

He called my office in the morning of 29th June 2011 to look for marketing person. I, as the representative of my company to spoke to him. He got to know we are the ID contractor through the conversation. Then I was told that he is actually looking for contractor for one of his project, a complex somewhere located in Shah Alam. We set an appointment later at 3:45pm on the same day at Ampang Park Shopping Centre. He made me waited for about 2 hours till around 5:30pm and I got a call from his wife to postpone the appointment as she said Edwin was still in a meeting. Edwin called me back later to make another appointment on Thursday 30th June 2011, 3:30pm at Menara Citibank.

Finally I met him, he suggested me to a bistro, Bangkok Connexion, opposite of Menara Citibank. We sat down and started our business talk. He told me his phone is running out of battery and he was like expecting his wife to call my phone. I recieved a call from his wife around 10 mins later. She was looking for her husband (Edwin) so I passed my phone to him. He asked her about his pendrive, drawings and her location as like he was leading her to the bistro. For less than a minute, he suddenly stood up and walked away with my phone while he's still on the line with his wife. I did not bother him at 1st as I thought the line reception is poor. Moreover, I was sitting with my back facing the main entrance, which I couldn't notice where he goes. I turned back a few times later on but I couldn't really see him. I felt something goes really wrong after 15 mins as he went missing. He also left his pouch on the table, which I noticed later it is actually locked with a padlock.





I borrowed phone from 1 of the waiter to call my number. I tried a few times and it was still active but no answer until he switched off the phone. I still couldn't make sure if I got cheated or something goes wrong with him. The pouch is suspicious but I dare not touch it because I don't know what is inside. Until one of the staff try to pull the zip and the zip can be easily pull out.



It's actually a can of soft drink wrapped with newspaper inside the pouch. Then I realized I was the unlucky one. There are CCTV but too bad the picture is very blur. The management will give me a copy by tomorrow 1st of July 2011 so I can bring along to the police station. Hopefully it helps to look after the swindlers!

You might think that I'm dumb but I still have to share with you guys so you all can prevent this happen to you. He's probably targeting sales person, so be alert when you are meeting stranger. I got to thanks to the waiters and staffs there for giving me a helpful hand, it's really nice of them.