Aidilfitri: Don’t let scammers crash your festive fun

Maybe many are not aware that the festive season is the time that online fraud syndicates look forward to carrying out their criminal activities.

This fraud syndicate in cyberspace uses sweet promises or false guarantees to deceive victims when people are having fun celebrating Aidilfitri.

The Malaysian National Security Council (MKN) through their portal also reminded the public to be careful with 'Aidilfitri scammers' and shop safely.

MKN advised the public not to be easily deceived by unusual offers of goods sold by scammers on social media.

In addition, people are also reminded to not download any android package kit (APK) file links shared from third parties as they might be a 'trap' of fraud syndicates.

Meanwhile, Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) Director Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf advised the public not to take the risk of answering calls from unknown or suspicious numbers.

Based on previous cases, by only answering one call in less than 10 minutes, a victim could suffer losses of tens of thousands of ringgit.

Some criminals posed as bank sales agents and asked victims to reveal their ID card numbers, supposedly for verification purposes.

These fake agents would use mobile phone lines to call bank customers and then ask for verification, usually the last four digits of the victim's identity card.

Many were confused when contacted by criminals because the bank also used the services of an agent who asked for identity verification using an identity card number.

Therefore, Ramli said banks were urged to find a better alternative to communicate with customers to avoid confusion than risking customers being cheated by fraud syndicates.

"JSJK advises not to confirm any personal information because people are at risk of becoming victims of scammers.

"Banks are advised to find other more effective methods to deal with customers, especially those involving phone calls," he said.

In addition to scammers, Ramli also revealed that there were also syndicates offering loans with low-interest rates and instant approval during the festive season.

These loan syndicates were spotted taking advantage of the festive season by targeting those desperate to use money.

However, the victim does not know that the action is not a solution, but rather the beginning of a long problem.

Social media mediums such as Facebook, WhatsApp and Telegram are used by syndicates to display loan advertisements to trap victims.

There is a recorded case, the victim borrowed RM1,000 but after being rejected with some costs supposedly as processing money and so on, the money the borrower got was only RM450. But due to hidden charges and interest rates, the RM1,000 loan rate increased to RM5,000.

Meanwhile, the public is advised to immediately contact the bank or the National Scam Response Center (NSRC) on 997 if they realise they have been a victim of online fraud.

The public can also check bank accounts and phone numbers involved in fraudulent crimes at https://semakmule.rmp.gov.my.

You can also visit the official social media accounts of JSJK PDRM and Cyber ​​Crime Alert RMP for the latest information on commercial crimes.

Don't let the joy of welcoming this festive season turn into an episode of tears as a result of being snared by 'Aidilfitri scammers'.