Public told to be vigilant as fraud, scam cases rampant

SIBU (Aug 3): Fraud and scam cases remain rampant, the private secretary to Deputy Dewan Rakyat Speaker Alice Lau, Stanley Chiew, said.

Highlighting that it is vital for people to have high awareness of fraud prevention, he said the service centre of the Sibu MP frequently received requests for assistance from Sibu residents who have fallen victim to scams and suffered financial losses.

He said these cases include impersonation of government officials via phone calls, online investment scams, Ponzi schemes and many more.

“I urge everyone not to rush when purchasing any financial product. Seek third-party opinions from family, friends or professionals in the field, compare options and make the wisest decision to avoid future disputes or lawsuits with the financial institution, which could be time-consuming and costly,” he advised in a statement.

Recently, Chiew said, a woman from Sibu reported receiving a call from someone claiming to be a government official who accused her of being involved in money laundering.

He said the victim was instructed to transfer her money to a designated account to ‘assist in the investigation’, with a promise that it would be returned to her later.

“She followed the instructions by transferring the money. After two weeks without any further contact and being unable to reach the person who called her, she came to my office to help her find out when she can claim back the tens of thousands of ringgit she had transferred.

“I advised her to report the case to the police immediately because she not only lost money but also revealed her personal information, including her Mykad, which might be misused.”

Chiew reminded everyone that the police do not accept reports lodged online and all police reports must be made at the police station.

“Therefore, do not be intimidated by calls from individuals claiming to be bank officers, police officers, customs officers or court personnel instructing you to report online if you think they are involved in money laundering or crimes.

“Government departments or enforcement agencies will not privately contact the public to demand fines or request money to be transferred to any personal bank account.

“If the public realised they had been scammed after making a money transfer, they must call the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) hotline ‘997’ within 24 hours and provide clear details, such as the bank the money was transferred to, the account, transfer time, and amount, so the centre can trace and freeze the funds, increasing the chances of recovery.”

Additionally, he advised the public not to believe any online promises of high returns, guaranteed profits, or zero-risk investments that offer returns much higher than legitimate financial channels which often lead to complete financial loss.

“If you want to invest, you must go through financial institutions authorised by Bank Negara Malaysia. People must realise that all investments come with risks; the difference is whether the risks are high or low.”

He believes it is necessary for the public to continuously educate themselves about fraud risks and always stay vigilant against scams.

“If the public receives any intimidating calls or messages from individuals claiming to be government officials or enforcement officers, or if they are unsure whether they have fallen victim to a scam, they can seek assistance at YB Alice Lau’s service centre.”

Chiew added that even when purchasing financial products from legitimate financial institutions, the public has a responsibility to ensure they fully understand the benefits and terms of these products, avoiding situations where hidden contract terms put them at a disadvantage.