Civil servant probed over RM1mil wedding planning scam

IPOH: A civil servant is facing possible disciplinary action over a wedding planning scam involving 73 police reports and losses estimated at nearly RM1 million.

Perak police chief Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin said the case occurred last year and the 31-year-old man was charged on Sept 8.

He said police had received 73 reports, but the prosecution decided to proceed with a single charge against the accused.

"After consulting the prosecution, it was decided that the man would face one charge," he said at a press conference today.

Alwi said the other reports were referred to the Consumer Tribunal for further action, as the wedding ceremonies had yet to take place when the incidents occurred last year.

He said the total losses reported were estimated at nearly RM1 million.

Alwi added that the man was still serving in the civil service, and departmental disciplinary proceedings had been initiated against him, with suspension among the possible actions.

"The process of taking departmental action against him is ongoing," he said.

He also dismissed speculation that the man was a policeman, clarifying that he was a civil servant employed by the Public Service Department (PSD).

"He is not a policeman. He is employed by the PSD," he said.

The case recently went viral on Threads after a post alleged that the man had cheated multiple couples out of money intended for their wedding arrangements.

The post's author said they were seeking information about the man's whereabouts.

Several people claiming to be victims shared their alleged experiences in the comments section, describing the financial and emotional distress they had suffered.

One commenter claimed to have lost RM23,000 and received only RM50 in repayment so far.

Another alleged victim said they had lost RM12,000 in savings painstakingly set aside for their wedding.

They also claimed that family members had to contribute additional funds to cover their wedding reception expenses following the incident.

Another commenter alleged that they had lost RM20,000, adding that the financial burden remained painful as their first wedding anniversary approached.