KUALA LUMPUR: Federal police in Bukit Aman have uncovered a phishing scam which offers to buy used and recycled items via social media.
Federal Commercial Crime Investigation Department director Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf said the phishing scam was advertised on the Eco Recycling Facebook page.
"Through the advertisement, the Eco Recycling company offers to purchase used items such as electrical goods, gadgets, newspapers and clothes.
"Victims who are interested in selling their second-hand goods will be asked to register through a Home Solution application which needs to be downloaded using a link that will be sent via WhatsApp," he told reporters here today.
He said after registering, the victim would be required to pay a deposit of RM10 supposedly to reserve a slot for the collection of goods to be sold.
"The victim will then be taken to a display of a fake banking website which aims to obtain username and password data of victims.
"After entering the username and password, the website cannot be accessed as it is said to be 'under maintenance'," he said adding that the victim's phone will also be hacked.
He said the victims would only realise that they were cheated on finding out that money from their accounts had been transferred to unknown bank accounts.
"Since May, a total of nine police reports have been received throughout the country regarding this scam involving losses of at least RM243,693.50.
"As a preventive measure, the public is advised to always be alert. They should not download any application files that are received through messages, emails and the like.
"It is advised that any download of mobile phone application files be done through safe and trusted platforms such as Google Play and the App Store."