A cunning Malaysian man has been caught on CCTV employing a slick scam to steal a RM200 Touch ’n Go (TnG) credit PIN, highlighting the growing threat of cashless payment scams in local retail settings.
The incident, which took place at a convenience store in Johor, involved a man dressed in an orange shirt who approached the cashier under the guise of purchasing a TnG top-up. According to footage shared on TikTok, he cleverly engaged the female cashier in casual conversation, even offering to buy her a drink to build rapport and distract her from his true intentions.
As part of his ruse, the man selected two drinks from the fridge—one for himself and one for the cashier—to reinforce his charm offensive. This tactic not only diverted the cashier’s attention but also allowed him to appear like a genuine customer.
Hidden Phone Captures PIN Code Secretly
The scam took a sinister turn once the cashier printed the RM200 TnG PIN slip. Unbeknownst to the cashier, the man had placed a mobile phone in his shirt pocket, allegedly set to record. This allowed him to discreetly capture the sensitive PIN code without arousing suspicion.
Shortly after receiving the PIN slip, the man claimed he had left his wallet in his car and needed to retrieve it. To maintain his cover, he even walked a few steps towards the exit before returning briefly to confirm the total bill—an act likely designed to avoid raising alarm before he vanished without paying.
Security camera footage shows him calmly exiting the store, never to return, leaving the cashier and the business at a loss.
Authorities Warn of Similar Scams Across Johor
Further videos posted on TikTok suggest that the same man has targeted multiple convenience stores across Johor, including outlets at petrol stations. In these similar cases, he reportedly attempted to pay with a fake or malfunctioning debit card. When payment inevitably failed, he would excuse himself to retrieve his wallet and disappear.
Retailers and authorities have been urged to remain vigilant for individuals fitting this description and to adopt enhanced retail security measures, such as ensuring TnG PIN slips remain in the cashier’s possession until payment is confirmed.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks facing cashless payment systems and the importance of staff training in recognising deceptive tactics that exploit human trust.