Scratch & Win Scam

Lately, there have been alot of reports regarding the Scratch & Win scams on the rampant. I have been getting a lot of forwarded emails, some from the victims themselves, telling the public not to make the same mistake again. Their usual spots are banks (to pounce on victims who have just withdrawn their money), hypermarkets, and even petrol kiosks.

Thank god for these warnings flying around the cyberwave cos I will never ever thought that i could be approached by these irresponsible cheaters myself. But lucky for me, i did not fell into their trap.

Last Monday, i went to the Bumiputra Ccommerce Bank in Ampang to update my passbook. Eversince the day i started using my ATM card, i hardly go to the bank anymore. So once in a while, i will go to get the information updated black and white on my passbook.

I realised there were a bunch of youngsters (in their teens or early 20s) hanging outside the bank when i reached there. I didnt bother that much, cos i wanted to get my job done before the crowd pouring in as it was near lunch time.

By the time i came out from the bank, a young guy approached me. I was told that in conjunction to the opening of their company, located in Ampang Point, they are giving away "scratch and win" coupons, and I was urged to accept one. She showed me a piece of newspaper cutting with the lucky draw advertisement, u know, trying to convince me that this "lucky draw" is real.

Upon opening the envelope, I was told that I have won the grand prize (only 32 lucky coupons available, or so it was claimed). This meant, i stand a chance to win a Perdana V6, a Kancil, a 29" Plasma TV, a Massage Chair or a Jaguh Motorcycle. The young guy was more excited and happy than i am (the winner is supposed to be me) and he practically "jumped" up and down and kept on shaking my hand, congratulating me.

"Ah Jie, gong xi nie! gong xi nie!" (Sister, congratulation, congratulation!)
"Nie hen xing yun. Nie ji dao ma, nie shi di yi ge ren na dao da jiang" (U are very lucky. Do u know that u're the first one to get the grand prize?) *shakes my hand violently*
"err..." *looking at the guy suspiciously*

The hand shaking and congratulation "ceremony" continues for another 2 minutes, he repeated the same sentences over and over again while jumping up and down like he just found a gold or to be exact a water fish (victim). I knew from the start when he came approaching me with a scratch and win coupons that it was a scam, but i was really curious on how he is going to try to cheat on the innocent victims. So i went with the flow, following his plans.

Eventhough if there is any chance that i wasnt aware of this kinda scam, his over reaction would have exposed his intention. I think he needs some basic acting class. No offence here, but i think only those super greedy people will fall into their trick.

In order to collect my prize, I must first go to their office at Ampang Point. Now that is their whole idea, going to their office where they can persuade and brainwash u slowly. I blurted out purposely saying that i would surely need to buy something from the company, before i am eligible to claim the prize. Immediately, he started denying and i saw him winking to his fren nearby to come over and help him.

The other guy did the same hand shaking and non-stop congratulating sentence. That was really like watching a repeat, the only difference was the main cast. O_o

Finally, i got fed up and told them i wasnt interested.

"you dont want the car? it is very hard to be so lucky all ur life u know."
"sorry, im in a hurry, so i dont think i have the time to go over ur office and claim the prize."
"it will just take u a min, just go over and u will get ur brand new car, worth a lot ler"
"if it is just gonna take me a min, then why dont u set up a booth here, easier. we dont have to go to ur office so far away and only stay a min there. and if u like the car so much, u can take it."
"but we cant, cos we are the employees..."
"then ask ur family or relatives to claim it. im sure u didnt list out ur whole family hierarchy to ur boss rite?"
"..."

He was speechless, and i drove off.

Guys, please be more careful when u were told that u got something for free, without even doing anything. There is nothing such as "free lunch".