The Johor government has vowed to take strong action against a scam syndicate exploiting the Bantuan Kasih Johor (BKJ) programme to defraud the public via social media platforms.
Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the state would not tolerate anyone attempting to misuse public welfare for criminal purposes. “The syndicate is believed to operate in an organised manner, illegally using the state government’s logo and official identity to deceive citizens,” he stated.
According to Onn Hafiz, the scammers spread false information about BKJ and pressure victims into sharing sensitive personal data, including phone numbers, identity card numbers, and bank account details. He urged the public to rely solely on official Johor government channels for accurate information and warned against clicking suspicious links or sharing personal information with unknown parties.
Johor police recently identified 12 social media accounts promoting BKJ fraudulently on websites and TikTok. Among these, four accounts used artificial intelligence (AI) to mimic the face and voice of a Johor State Exco member. Investigations revealed that all accounts were operated from neighbouring countries and were requesting personal information from unsuspecting victims.
The state government reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding citizens against cybercrime and assured that those involved in the scam would face justice.
