Scam Alert: Don’t Fall for Impersonation Tricks
Scammers are increasingly using sophisticated tactics to trick people into giving away personal or financial information. One of the most common methods is impersonation, pretending to be from a trusted source such as a government agency, a well-known business, or even a charity.
They may contact you claiming to represent:
- The Police Department, Anti-Corruption Agency, or other government bodies
- A bank, telecommunications provider, or e-commerce platform
- A charity or emergency service
Some even use technology to spoof phone numbers, making it appear as though the call is coming from a legitimate organisation.
What Scammers Might Say:
- "You are under investigation," or "You owe money or have committed a crime."
- "Your account has been compromised. We need to verify your information."
- "You’ve won a prize, but you must pay a fee to claim it."
- "Your computer is infected and needs urgent fixing."
These messages are designed to create fear, confusion, or excitement, so you’ll act quickly without thinking.
What Scammers Want:
Scammers will pressure you to:
- Share personal or financial details
- Click on malicious links
- Transfer money urgently
- Provide card numbers, passwords, or OTPs
- Allow remote access to your device or account
They may threaten arrest, deportation, lawsuits, or say your account is about to be closed or hacked, all to make you panic.
Protect Yourself:
✅ Never share personal or financial information over the phone, via email, or by SMS.
✅ Legitimate organisations will never ask for passwords, PINs, or card numbers via unsolicited messages.
✅ Do not click on suspicious links or call back unknown numbers.
✅ Contact organisations directly through their official websites or verified phone numbers.
✅ Ignore high-pressure tactics — real businesses give you time to think and respond.
✅ Talk to someone you trust, like a family member, before taking any action.
Remember: If something feels suspicious or too urgent, it’s probably a scam. Stay calm. Stay alert. Stay safe.
Also read:
How-To: Be More Secure Online
How-To: Shop With Confidence
For more information of illegal and suspicious financial entities and activities, please visit Financial Fraud Alert .
Members of the public may also check with other enforcement agencies for verification on related activities:
1. Securities Commission (SC): https://www.sc.com.my/
2. Kementerian Perdagangan Dalam Negeri dan Hal Ehwal Pengguna (KPDNHEP): http://www.kpdnhep.gov.my/
3. Suruhanjaya Koperasi Malaysia: http://www.skm.gov.my/
4. Suruhanjaya Komunikasi dan Multimedia Malaysia (SKMM): https://www.skmm.gov.my/
5. Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia (SSM): https://www.ssm.com.my/
6. PDRM Jab. Siasatan Jenayah Komersil (CCID): https://ccid.rmp.gov.my/semakmule/