The only way to fight or defend yourself against scammers is to understand and learn the signs to stay ahead of fraudsters' mode of operation.
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Scammers impersonate police officers on the phone. They may claim that you need to move money out of your bank account to keep it safe, or that you need to pay to avoid arrest or jail time.
Be reminded the police would never call you, threatening to arrest you or ask you to move money out of your bank account. Be careful. Don’t disclose confidential information, particularly over the phone or internet-based communication methods (WhatsApp, Facebook, etc.).
According to the Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID), over RM305.94mil was lost to E-commerce scams between 2021 and August 2023. Its director, Commissioner Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf told The Star last week that his department had observed that e-commerce scams were becoming more prevalent nationwide in the previous three years.
E-commerce scams refer to fraudulent online shopping offers and tend to feature “sellers” offering bogus items either on online purchasing platforms or via social media platforms.
In most cases, the seller disappears without a trace once they receive payment from their victims. “In terms of reported cases, e-commerce has topped the charts since 2021 with 9,499 cases recorded that year, 9,253 cases in 2022 and 7,911 cases between January and August this year,” said Comm Ramli.
E-commerce scams refer to fraudulent online shopping offers and tend to feature “sellers” offering bogus items either on online purchasing platforms or via social media platforms.
According to police, when you get a call:
- Always verify the information presented to you by potential fraudsters, including the caller's identity.
- If you’ve been a victim of similar scams, you’re also encouraged to provide relevant information to the Malaysian Police’s CCID Scam Response Centre to help protect other potential victims.
- A “one-stop centre” has been set up under the Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) to combat the rise of fraud and scams.
- The public will be able to contact the centre for information on phone fraud/Macau scams
- Make police reports on suspected phone fraudsters.
- Additionally, the centre will also act as a verification method for those who receive suspicious calls from parties impersonating the authorities.
- Never approve unauthorised transactions.
- The CCID Scam Response Centre has operated since February 2021 and will be contactable between 8 am–8 pm every day at 03-26101559 and 03-26101599.
- The public can contact the centre for information on phone fraud/Macau scams, while you can also report suspected phone fraudsters.
Freelance Writer M. Krishnamoorthy (www.imkrishna.net) is a media coach, associate professor and undercover journalist. He has freelanced with Bernama, NST, The Star, and Malaysiakini. He also freelances as a fixer/coordinator for CNN, BBC, German and Australian Television networks and the New York Times. As an undercover journalist, he has highlighted society's concerns going undercover as a beggar, security guard, blind man, disabled salesman and Member of Parliament.
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