Crime syndicates targeting Socso

 

PETALING JAYA: From single individuals faking injuries to entire syndicates making false claims, more and more unscrupulous people are targeting the Social Security Organisation (Socso).

The highest fraudulent claim so far involved 27 people and payments of RM1.6mil, chief executive Datuk Seri Dr Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed revealed to The Star.

This translates to long-term losses of RM5mil if Socso had continued payments for the required period.

“This syndicate was discovered in 2017/2018, and had been operating in Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Johor, Penang, Pahang and Kuala Lumpur. It was a father-son duo running it as a ‘business’.

“They had been operating for quite some time under the pretext of a non-governmental organisation, where they collect information from targeted sick and vulnerable people.

“What they do is, they take these sick persons to the hospital but they put their own names down.

“Once they obtain the invalidity pension, they only give a fraction of the benefit payment to the actual sick people, and even keep their ATM cards,” he said.

CLICK TO ENLARGE

He added that, based on Socso’s investigations, the fraudster’s whole family had received invalidity benefits.

In March 2018, the main culprits behind the syndicate were arrested, including the father and eight others. The case is still in court.

Then there was the man who came into a Socso office in a wheelchair but who actually drove a Vellfire and led an extravagant lifestyle, including travelling overseas, all the while collecting about RM30,000 a month in benefit payments.

“It is sad to know that some people use these fraudulent methods to sustain their lives instead of working honestly.

“The main purpose of Socso benefits is to assist workers suffering from invalidity so they can get on with their lives but these people abuse it,” he said.

The abuse is so organised that some people make fraudulent claims using the service of touts and runners for a fee of between RM9,000 and RM16,000 a person.

“There is no need to use third parties to make claims,” said Mohammed Azam.

“I would also like to advise insured persons and their dependants to go to any of Socso’s 54 offices nationwide to make Socso claims free of charge instead of using a third party’s service.

“You can always get in touch with Socso customer service at 1300 22 8000.

“We are always prepared to help,” he added.

Mohammed Azman stressed that anyone making a fraudulent Socso claim can be charged under the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009 and the Penal Code. - Star