Online financial scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, leading to a sharp rise in cases that are more difficult to detect. In Terengganu alone, authorities have recorded 1,223 cases from January to October this year, exceeding the 1,019 cases reported in the same period in 2024. Total losses amounted to RM24.12 million.
Associate Professor Dr. Masnizah Mohd from the Faculty of Information Science and Technology at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) said that scams are no longer characterised by poor language, low-quality graphics, or apparent irregularities. She explained that modern scams are highly personalised and often feel as though someone is directly engaging with the victim, pretending familiarity and creating a false sense of trust. With the rise of generative AI, messages that previously required hours of manual effort can now be crafted to appear credible within minutes.
She noted that unsolicited messages disguised as parcel notifications, banking alerts or government advisories are among the most common triggers that Malaysians overlook. Younger adults are particularly vulnerable to fraudulent job offers and investment schemes that promise quick financial returns, especially on social media platforms.
Another commonly ignored warning sign is the use of pressure tactics. Scammers often discourage victims from asking questions and create a false sense of urgency to prompt immediate action. Requests for upfront payments, frequently presented as processing fees or release charges, remain among the clearest indicators of fraud.
Dr. Masnizah emphasised that victims often fall prey to scams despite recognising warning signs because scammers exploit trust, emotion and decision-making under pressure. She stressed that cybersecurity education must focus not only on technical awareness but also on behavioural understanding.
Efforts by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) have led to notable progress. Since 2022, more than 2.1 billion suspicious calls and unsolicited SMS messages have been blocked, over 112,000 fraudulent online contents have been removed and numerous scam-related websites have been shut down.
Awareness campaigns, including the Safe Internet Campaign, have reached approximately 10,000 schools and higher learning institutions nationwide. These measures have helped reduce exposure to online scams and facilitated faster intervention and recovery of funds.
Despite improvements in enforcement, Dr. Masnizah warned that overconfidence among the public remains a significant risk factor. She urged individuals to take a cautious approach, verify information through official channels and refrain from making hasty decisions, especially when subjected to pressure.
She concluded that scammers rely heavily on urgency and emotional manipulation. Exercising patience, verifying details and reporting suspicious activities are essential steps in ensuring online safety.
