The Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry today confirmed that it had received an official complaint from the Selangor and Federal Territory Consumers Association on behalf of a customer who was duped into a gift scam organised by an electrical company.

Over the past few weeks, malaysiakini had highlighted the case of Norazlan Zainal Abidin, 33, who was lured into buying RM3,881 worth of electronic goods after he "won" a Scratch-and-Win coupon from Aowa Electrical Sdn. Bhd.

According to the official from the Consumer Affairs Division who declined to be identified, the case will be handled by the Enforcement Division of the Ministry and the investigation should be completed by next week.

"The Enforcement Division will carry out a throughout investigation and conduct checks on the electrical company," the official added.

The company has been sending coupons to households which it claimed were randomly selected from a computer list since last December. "Lucky" winners are entitled to claim a number of prizes from Aowa Electrical.

In one such recent promotion, the major prizes consisted of an RM1,588 Pioneer Mini VCD home theatre system plus a RM100 cash voucher from the nearest participating outlet. However, in order to redeem the free gifts and the cash voucher, customers are required to purchase one of the five electronic items on sale in the shop, which are priced much higher than normal.

Norazlan, had attempted to seek clarification with the manager of the Aowa outlet in IOI Mall, Puchong, but was told to wait for clarification from the company headquarters. He has lodged a written complaint last Friday with Selangor and Federal Territory Consumers Association complaint officer Sathiya Seelan Nair.

"I have been informed by the complaint officer that whatever Aowa was doing is a violation of the Consumers Protection Act 1999," Norazlan told malaysiakini today.

He added that he was now much happier that the matter was being handled by the association and the Consumer Affairs Ministry as the company had not been helpful in the matter.

"I hope this scam will end. The company has not come back to me on my earlier complaint with them. Instead the manager of the IOI outlet told me to go ahead and make a report (with other parties)," said Norazlan.

Meanwhile, Nair said that the association will wait for the ministry's investigation to be completed before making any statements on the complaint.

"We do not want to jeopardise the ministry's investigation and therefore would not make any press statements. We have, however, received an acknowledgment letter from the Ministry and informed Norazlan about it," said Nair.