Scammers are becoming more sophisticated.
I STRONGLY support the call by the police for existing laws relating to scams and fraud to be reviewed and strengthened, with tougher penalties imposed on those who prey on innocent members of the public.
The alarming number of complaints received by the National Scam Response Centre – reportedly between 500 and 600 calls daily – is a clear indication that scams have reached an epidemic level and that stronger action is urgently required.
Scammers are becoming more sophisticated.
They exploit technology, manipulate victims psychologically and operate through complex networks involving mule accounts, telecommunications channels, digital platforms and organised criminal syndicates.
If the punishment does not match the seriousness of the offence, it will not provide an adequate deterrent.
The message must be clear: scamming is not a minor offence. It is a serious crime that can destroy lives, wipe out the life savings of victims and cause severe emotional and psychological distress.
I urge the government to consider the police’s call for tougher laws and stronger punishment. Among the measures that should be considered are:
> reviewing and increasing penalties for major scam-related offences so that punishment reflects the scale of harm caused to victims.
> imposing heavier punishment on repeat offenders and organised scam syndicates, particularly those who deliberately target senior citizens, vulnerable individuals and first-time users of digital banking.
> strengthening laws against mule account holders and those who knowingly facilitate scams, while ensuring that innocent persons who have been deceived or exploited are treated fairly.
> enhancing asset-tracing and asset-recovery powers so that money obtained through scams can be frozen and recovered as quickly as possible.
> strengthening cooperation among the police, banks, telecommunications companies, digital platforms and other relevant agencies to detect and disrupt scams before victims suffer financial losses.
> ensuring faster investigation and prosecution because the certainty and speed of punishment are just as important as the severity of the penalty. At the same time, enforcement alone cannot solve the problem.
Public awareness and digital literacy must be strengthened continuously.
People must be taught to recognise common scam tactics and, most importantly, to stop, check and verify before transferring money or disclosing personal information.
Banks and technology companies also have an important responsibility to strengthen their safeguards and respond rapidly when suspicious transactions are detected.
Malaysia must not allow scams to be regarded as an unavoidable consequence of living in a digital society.
We must make scams a high-risk, low-reward crime for criminals. If the law does not instil fear in those who commit these offences, they will continue to regard scamming as a lucrative business.
I urge the government to act decisively on the police’s call to strengthen the legal framework.
Tougher laws, effective enforcement, rapid intervention, stronger financial safeguards and an informed public must work together.
The fight against scams is not merely about protecting money. It is about protecting lives, dignity, trust and the security of our increasingly digital society.
Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye
Chairman
Alliance for a Safe Community
The views expressed in this article are his own and do not necessarily reflect those of theSun.
