A 21-year-old man from Sarawak has become the latest casualty of a sophisticated online “honey trap” scam, after clicking on an explicit advertisement while browsing the internet. What began as a S$43 (RM150) so-called “booking fee” quickly escalated into a night of repeated threats and extortion, leaving the victim more than S$1,050 (RM3,650) out of pocket.
According to police reports, the victim encountered the advert on a website offering “special services” and reached out via a messaging app. The alleged service provider claimed a meeting could be arranged at a hotel later that night — but only if the man paid upfront to secure the booking.
Escalating demands and mounting fear
Not long after the initial transfer, another individual claiming to be a “manager” called, demanding an additional RM500 to “ensure the arrangement goes smoothly.” Feeling cornered, the victim complied. Hours later, the scammer shifted tactics, insisting on a RM2,000 “cancellation fee” if the meeting were to be called off, supplying a fresh bank account for payment.
By 11pm, the pressure had intensified. The perpetrators discovered the victim still had funds in his bank account and coerced him into sending another RM1,000. Even then, they were not done — threatening to circulate compromising images unless he paid a further RM7,000. At this point, the man realised he had been trapped in a relentless cycle of extortion.
Police urge vigilance against cybercrime
In total, the victim lost RM3,650 (about S$1,053) before contacting the authorities. Police have confirmed an investigation and are reminding the public that online sexual service adverts and unsolicited offers from strangers are often fronts for cybercrime.
Scammers exploit fear, shame, and social stigma to silence their targets and secure more money. Law enforcement advises that anyone facing similar threats should immediately cease all payments and file a police report, rather than engage further with the perpetrators. Public awareness, they stressed, is the best defence against such internet fraud schemes spreading across Malaysia.