Local singer Winnie Kok, popularly known as Winnie K, revealed she lost approximately RM380,000 to a man posing as a ‘Datuk’ who lured her with a lucrative brand ambassadorship offer for a luxury property project.
A Costly Deception
During a press conference at Wisma MCA on October 9, 2025, Kok shared that she was introduced to the man, who claimed to be a property developer, through a close friend and television host in September 2023. Contacting her via WeChat, he promised an exclusive ambassadorship role with a fee ranging from RM800,000 to RM1 million. To secure the deal, he requested a “project implementation fee.” Kok, reassured by her friend’s display of the man’s e-wallet balance, made payments totaling RM350,000 in cash and online transfers between September and October 2023. The amount later climbed to RM380,000 after further assurances of a swift refund, but the man abruptly cut off contact soon after.
“I lodged a police report at the Shah Alam police headquarters in October last year and haven’t seen him since,” Kok said, describing the emotional and mental toll of losing her hard-earned money. “The ordeal left me deeply distressed.”
Breaking the Silence
Kok explained that she initially kept silent to spare her family worry but decided to speak out nearly two years later to raise awareness about such scams. “I want others to know how easily people can fall for these schemes,” she said, urging other victims to come forward.
Her lawyer, Esther Hor, and Alan Foo, president of the Malaysian Association of Arts, Live Events, Concerts and Festivals (ALIFE), attended the press conference in support.
Support for Victims
Michael Chong, executive adviser of MCA’s Public Services and Complaints Department, affirmed that the bureau is providing legal and emotional support to Kok and other victims of similar scams. He noted that several women have reported being deceived by men wielding honorary titles to peddle fake business deals. “Winnie came to see me twice for advice and protection. Our legal team’s checks confirm she and others were clearly deceived,” Chong said.
He urged victims to seek help rather than suffer in silence or act impulsively. “Don’t harm yourself. Please come forward,” he added, stressing the importance of exposing such fraud to deliver justice and warn the public about individuals misusing titles and social standing to perpetrate scams.
