Students are more likely to be influenced by scammers

PETALING JAYA - One of the reasons why students are frequently lured in by scammer to be mule accounts is due to their desire to earn extra money.

Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) deputy director (cybercrime and multimedia) Senior Assistant Commissioner Victor Sanjos said students were easy targets for scammers.

He said there are two situations in which students do not know that they are being scammed into becoming mule accounts.

And for those who are aware of the scam, they are willing to be mules, as it would pay them heftily.

"Investigations found most cases of students caught were tricked through job offers on social media when fill up their personal information including their account number. Syndicates take advantage of this to use their account for scams.

"Some cases have students who were in need of money and sold their accounts to syndicates for a fixed payment," he said.

Sanjos was met after the 2023 Anti-Scam Tour Forum at Digi Celcom Tower, here, on Saturday.

Victor said the police would blacklist mule accounts.

"Bank account information that is used as a mule account will be shared by the police and all financial institutions so that the owner is blacklisted from opening new accounts."

"This will cause issues when they want to open an account with the bank," he said.

Victor said those facing such difficulties can refer to JSJK for further action.

"Don’t simply believe job offers on social media; thoroughly review them first with the parties involved.

"Strict actions will be taken against any parties that allow their bank accounts to be used for scamming purposes," he said.