MALAYSIANS are quite savvy when it comes to using the internet, especially social media platforms. If the statement alone is not convincing enough, here are some real figures.
According to Cyber Security Malaysia, as of January 2024, the estimated number of social media users in the country is 28.68 million, equating to 83.1 per cent of the total population. (Mind you, Malaysia's population was recorded at 34.31 million in 2023.)
With such a large number of internet users, Malaysians are increasingly exposed to cybercrimes such as online fraud, spam, hacking, cyberbullying, and identity theft. In fact, reports of cybercrimes appear in the news almost daily.
While most online scam victims are elderly, young adults and even teenagers are at greater risk of becoming targets as the internet continues to grow rapidly.
A national scam awareness survey report published last year highlighted that teenagers and young adults are becoming the focus of a new wave of cyber scams, not just in Malaysia but across the Southeast Asia region.
GRIM FIGURES TELL OF GROWING THREAT
The report revealed that 65 per cent of young people surveyed had encountered scam attempts, highlighting their vulnerability.
It also noted that those with higher education experienced a greater incidence of attempted scams than those with only primary or secondary education, or those earning less than RM1,000 per month.
By exploiting emotions and trust, scammers easily target the younger generation, often using platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
The digital age has also transformed the way we interact with our gadgets, which grow increasingly sophisticated. The rise of social media influencers is evident, and their impact is undeniable.
Young people are influenced by what they see online, often trusting self-proclaimed influencers, particularly when it comes to schemes promising easy money with minimal effort.
Another critical factor is the fear of missing out (or FOMO). The desire for social acceptance further increases young people's susceptibility to sharing sensitive data.
DIGITAL LITERACY IS IMPORTANT
Malaysian Cyber Consumer Association (MCCA) president Siraj Jalil agreed that younger generations are more exposed to cybercrime, adding that there is already substantial evidence from authorities to support this claim.
Siraj explained that while the government has taken measures to curb cybercrimes, public awareness and knowledge of the issue remain low.
"What we need now is education. [Digital] literacy among the public, especially Gen Z, is still low.
"[There is] no point in having tough laws when literacy is low. One has to know when he or she is the victim, but [they also need to understand] when they are acting as the ‘culprit’.
"The government has been consistent [in addressing the issue], and there are already several laws in place. [They are also proposing] new law — the Cyber Crime Act (Akta Jenayah Siber) — which will replace the existing Computer Crimes Act 1997 (Akta Jenayah Komputer)," he said.
YOUTHS MOST AT RISK
Siraj noted that many young people fall victim to cyberbullying and online scams due to their lifestyle and consumer behaviour.
"Gen Zs are [primarily interested in] entertainment, lifestyle, gaming, and trending topics. Their preferred platforms are TikTok and Instagram, rather than Facebook.
"They can be impulsive when making a decision. Based on reports we have, cyberbullying is high among Gen Zs, and scams [are also widespread].
"For example, a university student is [an] easy target for scammers selling laptops or smartphones at seemingly discounted prices online," he said.
SECURE YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION
Meanwhile, Brunei Darussalam Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) SA Professor Dr Amirah Ismail urged youths to be more vigilant and responsible.
She advised the public to use strong, unique passwords to prevent hacking.
She also emphasised the importance of not sharing valuable information, particularly financial details, with unverified sources.
"Have a unique and strong password for every account you own, and never share your information with an unverified source. Always verify the authenticity of emails, messages, and job offers by contacting the sender, company, or organisation directly," she said.
SCAMMED BY DUBIOUS PROMISES
Meanwhile, a 25-year-old student who wished to be identified only as Rina shared her experience of being duped by scammers.
The incident occurred two years ago when the country was recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic.
"It was during the post-pandemic [period] when everyone was recovering economically. I got a WhatsApp [message] from an unknown number claiming to be from a courier company.
"If I remember correctly, my task was to deposit a small amount of money, and in return, the so-called company would double the amount.
"I didn’t trust the message at first, but there were testimonials from other, making it look real. So, [I started by transferring] a small amount, then [increased it to] hundreds of ringgit.
"I [received double the money back] as promised, so I got excited. I told my mum about it and [suggested that we deposit] more than RM10,000, hoping to get double the money.
"We did it, and to my horror, there was no reply after the money was transferred. Usually, it would take them a few minutes, but we waited for hours. I felt very bad for my mum because it was her money.
"Nothing could be done despite lodging a police report. The syndicate does not operate in Malaysia, the are [based] abroad," said Rina.
CYBERCRIMES HURT EVERYONE
Cybercrime may not seem as dangerous as drug-related offenses or violent crimes such as murder, but its effects on victims and their families can be long-lasting.
Let’s not forget the tragic case of a local TikToker last year, which drew significant public attention and even prompted discussions within the government about the need for stricter laws.
If only people were more responsible when interacting online, the tragedy might have been avoided. Or perhaps we all need a little humility to prevent ourselves from falling prey to our own egos.