Newlyweds Scammed By Wedding Planner Who Didn't Show Up For Their Wedding Reception
A bridal nightmare that became a reality.
By Tang Ruxyn — 29 Mar 2018, 01:16 PM
A wedding reception is supposed to be a momentous, joyous occasion to celebrate a couple's marriage.
However, a couple in Kuala Lumpur might remember their special day for something else after their wedding planner failed to show up.
Things went wrong for 24-year-old Nur Izzati Zulkafli and her family, when her wedding planner allegedly made false promises about helping the couple make the necessary preparations for their wedding reception that was held last Saturday, 24 March.
It was reported that the no-show wedding planner had been paid RM17,350 to assist the family in preparations for the wedding reception as well as the kenduri (wedding banquet) that was held earlier on 15 February.
However, the couple and their family members were left scrambling and ended up doing everything on their own for their attending guests during the wedding reception.
Nur Izzati's mother, Hapizah Abdul Ghani, fought to hold back tears as she was saddened by the whole incident
"This was the first wedding reception in the family. It was tense and chaotic that day as we needed to find restaurants and cooking utensils to prepare for the meals after the company representative failed to turn up," Hapizah said in a press conference yesterday, 28 March, as reported by New Straits Times (NST).
"I was holding my tears during the ceremony to entertain relatives and guests. Only God knows how I felt that day."
According to Hapizah, she attempted to contact the wedding planner several times that day but to no avail.
It was learned that Hapizah had even met with the company representatives one night before the reception before she lost contact with them
Hapizah said that the package offered to the newly weds was quite a bargain, as it included meals for 1,200 guests, bridal dishes, wedding reception stage, make-up, and PA system.
She also revealed that the company apparently threatened to file a summons against her son after he posted about the incident on his Facebook account.
"I hope they return the money. We are not a wealthy family. My kids are still studying, my husband is suffering from heart disease, the incident has added to our burden," she was quoted as saying by NST.
The company involved has allegedly cheated at least nine customers, resulting in losses amounting to RM500,000 by offering inexpensive wedding packages
Hapizah (second from right) and Liew (most right) with the other victims.
Image via Nur Afiradina Arshad/NSTPGerakan public services complaints bureau deputy chief Ben Liew Pok Boon said in the same press conference that a total of nine victims of the alleged scam have come forward to file complaints.
Berita Harian reported Liew as saying that each complainant claimed they suffered losses between RM10,000 to RM20,000. He added that the wedding planner company, which is based in Sungai Buloh, is believed to have been in operations since 2016.
Liew believes that there are more victims out there, and urged individuals who have been involved with this company to come forward to help assist them in the case.
According to him, as reported by Malaysia Gazette, most victims only realised they have been duped after the company representative disappeared upon receiving full payment.