KUCHING, JUNE 12 2026 – The Sarawak Consumers' Association (SCA) has advised homeowners to exercise extra careful about advertisements promoting home improvement services via social media platforms, including Facebook.
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Its president Dr Wynson Ong said SCA has received complaints regarding home improvement services promoted via Facebook and operated by foreigners from China.
He said more victims have come forward to file complaints with a similar pattern of incidents.
“So far, SCA has received complaints involving victims in Kuching, Sibu, Miri and Bintulu with total losses reaching thousands of ringgit for each case.
“Among the losses recorded are RM4,200 and RM 3,000 in Kuching, RM5,400 in Sibu, RM2,700 in Miri and RM5,600 in Bintulu,” he said in a statement.
More worryingly, he said SCA has also received information that there are other victims throughout Sarawak who are believed to be facing the same modus operandi.
In most of the reported cases, he said consumers were attracted by home improvement advertisements promoted on Facebook that showed free inspections.
“Consumers claim that they were charged unreasonable fees, but initially the workers did not provide a clear explanation of the fee structure despite being asked several times.
“After the “repair” work was carried out, consumers were then forced to make a payment with no explanation or details, and the payment was requested to be deposited into a personal bank account. “After payment was made, the party offering the service failed to be contacted and the original damage problem remained unresolved,” he said.
Dr Ong said SCA saw significant similarities in each of the complaints received and did not rule out the possibility that these activities were carried out in an organised mannerby the same individual or group.
He said that the increasing number of complaints in a short period of time showed that this issue could no longer be considered an isolated case.
“When victims from several parts of Sarawak and also Peninsular Malaysia come forward with almost the same complaint pattern, it raises serious questions as to whether there is a network or syndicate that is taking advantage of consumers through social media platforms,” he said.
According to him, the issue does not just involve financial losses, but also involves aspects of public safety and possible violations of immigration laws.
"We are very concerned because all the workers who came to the consumer's home were foreigners from China.
“Their entry status and work permits need to be checked immediately by the authorities. If it is true that they are carrying out employment activities without valid permits, this is a much bigger issue than just a consumer complaint."
He also stressed that consumers are not only losing money, but are also exposed to security risks when allowing unknown individuals into their homes.
"Home is a private space and the safest place for a family. When individuals whose identities cannot be ascertained are allowed into the home, the security risks cannot be underestimated. We do not want anything worse to happen before action is taken,” he added.
Dr Ong said SCA was also informed that there were victims who had filed a police report, but the case was not classified as a fraud because the parties involved had come to the home and carried out repair work, although the work did not fix the actual damage.
“However, SCA believes that the increase in the number of complaints with the same pattern deserves serious attention and a thorough investigation by the relevant agencies,” he suggested.
He said SCA has contacted the Kuching District police chief, and appreciates his prompt action in providing feedback on this matter.
He also urged the police and the Malaysian Immigration Department as well as relevant authorities to conduct immediate investigations to identify the individuals and companies involved and determine the status of their operations in our country before this case worsens.
He said SCA would like to emphasise that its party does not reject the presence of foreigners who are working legally and comply with the country's laws.
“However, any individual carrying out employment activities in Malaysia must have a valid permit, comply with the regulations set and not take advantage of consumers.
“The public is advised to be more cautious of home improvement service advertisements on social media, especially those that do not have a clear business address, valid license or verifiable service record.
“Any individual who believes they have been a victim of the same modus operandi is advised to immediately file a police report and contact SCA to assist in gathering information and further action,” he said.
Dr Ong advised that any complaints can be channeled to the Sarawak Consumers' Association at handphone number 017-710 9299
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