By Zaki Salleh
IPOH: The public is advised to be extra cautious of the latest tactics used by increasingly sophisticated online scam syndicates.
These criminals are exploiting communication apps like WhatsApp and Telegram to deceive a victim’s contacts and obtain money.
According to information shared by the Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) of the Royal Malaysia Police, the syndicate’s modus operandi begins when cybercriminals successfully hack a victim’s WhatsApp account through fake files or malicious apps—often disguised as “invitation cards” or legitimate download links.
Once the account is taken over, scammers use the victim’s real profile photo and phone number to trick their friends or family members. They usually ask for urgent financial help, claiming to face an emergency or temporary problem.
More worryingly, there have been cases where scammers also request the victim’s bank account details, supposedly to return borrowed money. In reality, their aim is to turn the account into a “mule account” used to channel illicit funds from other financial crimes.
The public is therefore reminded not to download or open any files (especially APK files) received through messaging apps, even if they appear to come from close contacts.
Be cautious of suspicious messages, calls, or videos, as criminals can now use Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology to imitate someone’s voice and face convincingly.
If you suspect that you’ve fallen victim to a scam, immediately contact the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) at 997 and file a police report to prevent further losses.
