Imagine discovering mysterious charges on a credit card you haven’t used in months, all linked to a rideshare app in a country you recently visited. That’s exactly what happened to me, and it’s left me scratching my head. Let me walk you through this bizarre credit card fraud saga involving Grab in Malaysia, and maybe together, we can piece together what’s really going on.
Despite juggling dozens of credit cards, I’ve been fortunate to encounter very little fraud over the years. Thanks to the robust protections most cards offer, I don’t lose sleep over it. But after a long hiatus, it seems my luck has run out—and this time, the fraud is downright puzzling. I’m curious if anyone out there has insights or theories, because this one has me stumped.
Seven Mysterious Grab Transactions Appear Out of Nowhere
This morning, while reviewing my credit card transactions, I noticed something odd on my Citi Double Cash Card. It’s not a card I’ve been actively using—it’s more of a ‘sock drawer’ card at the moment. But to my surprise, seven transactions had popped up in recent weeks, all from Grab in Malaysia (or so it seems, based on the currency). For those unfamiliar, Grab is essentially Asia’s version of Uber. The charges ranged from $19.99 to a whopping $124.91, and their sporadic timing only adds to the mystery.
Here’s where it gets even stranger: the ‘Spend Category’ for all these transactions is listed as ‘Miscellaneous – Poi Funding Transactions.’ Is this how Grab purchases typically appear, or is it a red flag? Because let’s be honest, nearly $125 for a Grab ride in Malaysia seems outrageously expensive—unless, of course, someone’s funding something entirely different under the guise of a rideshare.
But here’s where it gets controversial... How did I not notice this sooner? Fair question. The card is set to autopay, and since I wasn’t actively using it, I wasn’t scrutinizing the statements. However, I make it a habit to review all my transactions every few weeks, just in case something fishy pops up. Thankfully, that’s exactly what I was doing when I caught this.
What Makes This Fraud So Confounding?
What’s truly baffling is the method—or lack thereof—behind this fraud. Here are the details that have me scratching my head:
- I actually used Grab for the first time in early November 2025—in Malaysia, no less. But here’s the kicker: I used a completely different card for those transactions, not the Citi Double Cash Card where the fraud occurred.
- None of these fraudulent transactions appear in my Grab account, and my Citi Double Cash Card isn’t even saved to my Grab profile. So how did someone use it for Grab rides—or whatever these ‘Poi Funding Transactions’ really are?
- I still have the physical card in my possession, so it wasn’t stolen. However, the card was in my backpack while traveling in Malaysia, alongside a dozen other cards—none of which were compromised.
And this is the part most people miss... Is this just a bizarre coincidence, happening weeks after my first Grab experience in Malaysia? Did someone somehow skim my card details from my backpack and use it exclusively for Grab transactions? Or is this ‘Poi Funding’ something entirely unrelated to ridesharing? The more I think about it, the more questions arise.
Credit card fraud is never dull, and this case is a prime example. The circumstances are so peculiar that I can’t help but be fascinated. So, I’m turning to you: Do you have any theories? Is this a sophisticated scam, a simple coincidence, or something else entirely? Let’s discuss in the comments—I’m all ears!
Bottom Line
After a long stretch without issues, I’ve encountered credit card fraud again—this time on my Citi Double Cash Card, with seven transactions linked to Grab in Malaysia. What makes this so strange is that I used Grab for the first time recently, but with a different card. The physical card is still with me, and none of these transactions show up in my Grab account. It’s a head-scratcher, to say the least.
Here’s my question to you: What do you think is going on here? Could it be a coincidence, a targeted scam, or something else entirely? Share your thoughts below—I’m eager to hear your take!
