KUALA LUMPUR: A man saw an Internet post of a second-hand car going for only RM7,500.
The man, who only wanted to be identified as Koh, 45, said he saw the offer of the 1997 Nissan Sentra over a car-trading website that was posted by a “car broker”.
Koh and his friend then drove from here to Malacca on Dec 30, to meet the man named Lim.
“It was to be a cash-on-delivery transaction,” said Koh.
“Lim took me to the Malacca Road Transport Department (JPJ) office where he said his people would help settle the change in car ownership process.
“I then paid him the money,” added Koh.
He said Lim then told him that he needed time as the original car owner was a former policeman who had since died.
However, later, Koh realised that the ownership status was still not changed despite several calls to Lim.
“He always tried to delay me and told me to wait,” Koh said. “I couldn’t get him on the phone after that.”
Koh then lodged a police report last week and filed a complaint with MCA Public Service and Complaints Department chairman Datuk Seri Michael Chong.
Chong said car-buyers, especially those seeking second-hand cars, should go through registered dealers.
“My department has received six similar cases so far this year,” he said.
“If you don’t go through the proper channels, you may end up paying traffic summonses which you have not committed,” said Chong at a press conference here yesterday.
Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Car Dealers and Credit Companies Association general-secretary Datuk William Lim, who was also there, said people should be wary of such Internet offers.
“JPJ has been strict with the change of car ownership procedures, where the department has introduced a biometric system,” he pointed out.
“The car owner and buyer must go to the JPJ office to provide their thumbprints in the system before a name transfer is made,” Willam said.
“If you buy a car and you are not asked to go through such procedures, you should be suspicious.”
