The Penang government has warned against conmen impersonating Penang housing officers to collect fees to obtain affordable housing in the state.

“The housing department does not collect any money for its selection process,” state executive councillor on housing Jagdeep Singh Deo said at a press conference in George Town today.

Also present were assemblypersons Soon Lip Chee (Jawi) and Lim Siew Khim (Sungai Pinang).

“The selection process is carried out very stringently by an eight-member panel comprising MPs, assemblypersons, and state executive councillors. You don't need to pay a sen,” he added.

He was referring to three police reports which have been lodged by Lim Swee Being, Chuah Hui Ching and Loh Liat Yeong, who complained that a housing department officer had promised them units at 'The Rise' project on Jalan SP Chelliah if they paid a certain amount of money.

Jagdeep said that a letter has been sent to Penang police chief Abdul Ghafar Rejab urging police to intensify their probe on the matter.

He thanked Abdul Ghafar for arresting one suspect believed to be involved in the scam.

The suspect is being charged in court today with cheating an individual of RM10,000 believed to be payment for obtaining an affordable housing unit in George Town.

Jagdeep expressed concern over the incident, describing it as “very serious” as members of the public are cheated by those they believed to be government officers.

He also revealed a copy of the housing letter which had purportedly been sent to the victims, saying there were 11 errors which could prove that it was not issued by the housing department.

He pointed out spelling errors, missing contact numbers, badly written paragraphs, and unofficial format which were not consistent with official letters issued by state government agencies.

Meanwhile, Jagdeep said the money purportedly paid to the conman was done in a computer shop in Prangin Mall.

He said there was only two ways to make payment for official matters – at Komtar where all government agencies are located, or at the respective public housing schemes offices.

“All payments made to government agencies are issued with computerised official receipts.

“If the computer is down, a manual receipt will be issued with a reference number stating the words FIN for Finance, followed by a reference number. There is no other payment method,” Jagdeep said.

“If any others have fallen prey to this scam, come lodge police reports and inform the housing deparment.

“I hope the police will act swiftly and put a stop to these con jobs.”

“If there is any doubt or suspicion, please go to the nearest government agency office or your assemblyperson’s service centre to check,” he said.