KUALA LUMPUR: Bukit Aman has issued a warning for the public to be cautious of "red flags" when engaging with potential online suitors, especially when money requests are involved.
Federal Commercial Crime Investigation Department director Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf said that a major warning sign was when these virtual connections suddenly requested financial assistance, claiming they were in a difficult situation.
"The community must be vigilant and recognise signs of fraud, such as sudden financial requests from people they only know online. Don't be too quick to trust an inconsistent story or a profile that seems too perfect," he told reporters today.
He urged the public to remain sceptical and ask questions, particularly regarding the intentions of the person they were engaging with online.
"If the relationship is new and they suddenly ask for personal information or financial help, that should raise alarms. You can also use online resources to verify the legitimacy of their identity and profile picture."
"If you have doubts, contact the authorities immediately and do not rush into giving away your money," he said.
Ramli also encouraged individuals in online relationships to consult friends or family before making decisions that involved financial or personal commitments.
"These precautions are essential to protect yourself from fraud," he said.
His advice follows a recent case in Perak, where a 58-year-old lawyer lost RM1.75 million in a love scam.
In this case, the lawyer was deceived by a suspect posing as a foreign marine geologist who fabricated a robbery story to elicit multiple bank transfers from the victim .