WHEN Eunice Fernandez received a call from a telemarketer over a year ago offering a “once in a lifetime opportunity” to make some extra income, she grabbed the chance immediately. The housewife with two children saw it as a chance to help put her children into college.

But little did she realise that the so-called opportunity would turn out to be a nightmare that is not over yet.

At a press conference organised by the Bukit Bintang DAP service centre, Fernandez and 50 other victims of an investment scam spoke of their misery after being cheated over RM2mil by various investment companies that promised returns.

In Fernandez’ case, she was told to invest in a Multi Automated Touch Screen (MAT) kiosk to pay utility bills. She was told to pay a 30% deposit for the machines which cost her RM29,580. She charged the amount to her credit cards.

After waiting three weeks, she was told to pay up the full amount amounting to a whopping RM129,480 in order to get the machines.

“I was shocked! There was no way I could afford that kind of money. I demanded my deposit back and was told by the company that it would be returned.

It has been over a year now and Fernandez is being sued by the bank for not being able to pay for her credit cards.

Also in a similar situation is Mohd Rasid Aman who also fell victim to the MAT kiosk scam. Having lost almost RM40,000, Mohd Rasid is now hoping to get his money back and wants to see justice.

“I was pushed around by Fomca, Bank Negara, and other government agencies. How can these people be so cruel? All I want is justice,” he said.

At the press conference chaired by Bukit Bintang MP Fung Kui Lun, Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng and Kelana Jaya MP Gwo-Burne Loh, a decision was made to form a task force to help the victims.

“The victims have lodged police reports, highlighted their plight to government agencies, banks and Bank Negara and still nothing is being done to help them,” Fong said.

“We hope that with the setting up of the task force, more victims can come forward and we will try either to help get their money back or find other ways to assist them,” he said.

“This is a clear cut cheating case under Section 420 of the Penal Code and what is ironic is that with 100 police reports lodged in this case, not one single arrest has been made,” Lim said.

The MPs promised to bring the matter up in parliament next week.

Those who have been victims of similar cheating cases can contact the following numbers: 03-2141 2762, 03-6252 0234 and 03- 5631 7121.