JOHOR BARU, MALAYSIA: Seven women have lodged police reports against a beauty academy for allegedly cheating them of about RM7,000 (S$2868) each.

Vicki Too, 26, said the academy told her that the beauty course she signed up for was under the Government's Skills Development Department (JPK) scheme and would be subsidised by the Government.

"The academy told us that we each needed to pay RM7,200 first in order to apply for the subsidies.

"We were told that once the application is approved, we will get RM300 monthly from the Government for two years," she said, adding that in the contract it was written that the institution was not allowed to receive any payment from the students and the Government would deal with the institution directly.

When they checked with the department, they found out that they did not have to pay their school fees in order to apply for the subsidy and that JPK had stopped this programme about four months ago.

"Until now, we have not been told about our status. We know that there are only two approved candidates," Too said.

Another victim, Choo Lee Khoon, 26, said the academy told her and the others to pay RM235 more for a module to complete her course.

"But the module was about singing, dancing and direct selling which is not related to the beauty course," she said.

They were speaking at a press conference organised by Johor Baru MCA Public Complaints Bureau deputy chief Michael Tay here yesterday.

Tay hoped that the beauty academy would refund the victims.

He also urged students to study contracts carefully or consult professionals if they were in doubt.

Johor Baru (South) OCPD Asst Comm Zainuddin Yaakob confirmed receiving the reports from the victims.